Statistics made public by justice minister Jack Straw last week showthat the average distance 15- to 17-year-olds were held from home was 52miles.
A breakdown of the figures shows 46 per cent of 15-year-olds and 41 percent of 16- and 17-year-olds in custody were locked up more than 50miles from home.
This represents an increase on the nearest comparable figures in2005/06, which looked at just male young offenders, when 30 per centwere held more than 50 miles from home.
The Youth Justice Board (YJB) target is for 90 per cent of youngoffenders to be held within 50 miles of their home.
Andrew Neilson, assistant director at the Howard League for PenalReform, said locking up children lengthy distances from home can have anegative impact.
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