The Howard League for Penal Reform launched its campaign Growing Up, Shut Up today (2 July). The campaign has three main strands: the child behind the crime, every child a safe home and access to justice for children.
The charity is calling for every local authority to set up a children's panel, which would intervene when a child comes to the attention of the police or the youth offending team (YOT). Additionally, the panel could review select cases where children went into custody, looking at what could have been done to avoid it.
It is also calling for all government policy for young people to be housed at the Department for Children, Schools and Families and for the proper resettlement of young offenders.
Frances Crook, director of the Howard League, said: "Criminalising and locking up troubled and neglected children as young as 10 is inhumane and shameful. It is time to rethink and restructure the way we deal with our most vulnerable and challenging young people."
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