After a decline in the number of children being incarcerated over the last decade the figures are expected to increase markedly over the next two years, ministers and prison officials have warned.
Factors in the expected hike in numbers include the recruitment of 23,000 additional police officers as well as the clearing of court cases, which had been held up during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Tougher sentencing through the government’s police, crime, sentencing and courts reform bill is also expected to lead to a spike in children in custody.
To meet the increase the government is considering reopening Rainsbrook Secure Training Centre, which was closed last year amid safety concerns.
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