During a parliamentary debate on ending child imprisonment, justice minister Edward Argar admitted that the youth secure estate "requires real reform", but said that the system needs to retain custody as an option.
Argar said that depriving a child of their liberty was required "as a last resort", but added that there would be an emphasis on education at future secure schools for young offenders - the first being Medway.
Ex social worker and former shadow children's minister Emma Lewell-Buck gave an impassioned introduction to Tuesday's debate, claiming that prison is no place for children and suggesting that secure schools would be rebranded secure training centres.
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