Call for looked-after children to avoid criminal justice system

A briefing published by the Prison Reform Trust this week sets out a 12-point plan on how to reduce the number of young people jailed.

The document, Criminal Damage: Why We Should Lock Up Fewer Children, says detention should only be used for under-18s who have committed serious violent crimes and who pose a serious physical threat to their communities.

It urges local authorities to do more to prevent looked-after young people from entering custody.

"More than 70 per cent of young offenders have a history of being in care or social services involvement," the briefing states.

"There is evidence that the wrongdoing of looked-after children is often processed through the criminal justice system when it could be dealt with in a care setting using restorative justice techniques. Ensure all authorities set up protocols with police and residential home staff. Local authorities need to analyse why looked-after children are involved in serious offending and address gaps in their care."