CYP Now - Campaigners call for swift closure of child prisons

Children’s rights and justice charities have called for the urgent closure of all youth custody settings because a review of evidence shows they cannot be made safe or suitable for children.

A review has found reforms of youth custody over the past 25 years have failed to make it safe for children. Picture: Phil Adams

A group of eight children’s rights and youth justice charities say urgent action is needed after a review of youth justice policy over the past 25 years concluded “despite the best efforts of the many individuals and organisations involved, the evidence unequivocally shows that the multitudinous attempts to reform child imprisonment have ultimately failed and continue to fail”.

The review, undertaken by four youth justice experts, examines 10 areas of policy and practice in relation to child imprisonment, including recurring government assurances that: children will be kept safe; solitary confinement will not be used for children; children will receive at least 30 hours of education a week; and restraint will only be used as a last resort.

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