Horror attackers could walk free in their teenage years

THE brothers who carried out the horrific torture attack could be back on the streets before they reach adulthood.

If, in five years, the Parole Board believes they are no longer a

danger to the public, they will be released.

But until they are thought to have reformed, they must stay locked up.

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Yesterday, they were returned to the secure children's home where they have been held since April last year, and where a team of professionals are tasked with turning their lives around.

In his sentencing remarks, Mr Justice Keith left no doubt as to the scale of the task confronting those staff.

Jon Venables and Robert Thompson were both held in secure children's homes after they killed James Bulger in 1993.

There are 14 such homes in England and Wales, with a total of 191 places. Such intensive treatment is expensive; just shy of 250,000 a year per person.

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The institutions are run by local councils and placements commissioned by the Youth Justice Board (YJB).

As well as a daily regime of education, the inmates are offered activities such as sport and music as well as training in basic skills such as cooking and cleaning.

Child psychologists and psychiatrists, health workers and other professionals will supervise and guide their development.

Reports and guidance from them will be the basis on which the release decision is made. Depending on their progress, the brothers may be moved to a secure training centre or young offenders' institution as they grow older.

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Peter Minchin, head of placements and case work at the YJB, said: "The emphasis is on addressing their offending behaviour.

"The children's home is there to address the causes and the reasons for them having committed those offences ."

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