According to the Youth Justice Board, rising numbers of young people andchildren in custody has left just 31 available places in young offenderinstitutions, another 31 in secure training centres and just five spacesin secure children's homes.
The Howard League for Penal Reform warns these places could be filled ina matter of weeks. This year has already seen a sharp rise in the numberof children and young people in custody, leaping from 2,570 in Januaryto 3,036 this month.
A league spokeswoman said: "We have seen the figures rise by much morethan 67 during some months this year and spaces could fill up totallywithin a very short space of time. This lack of spaces just adds to theargument that there are too many children being put into custody."
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