It first took on the case in 2003 when the young woman, known as SP, was 17. She had a history of mental health problems, abuse, and neglect, but was transferred from a local authority secure childrens home to an adult womens prison on her 17th birthday.
Here she was held in a segregation unit, where she repeatedly self-harmed. She was later transferred to a mental hospital, and her condition has improved.
The Howard League is arguing that since SP sustained life-threatening injuries while in the care of the State, there should be an effective inquiry into her case. This is established under the European Convention on Human Rights.Chris Callender, the head of the Howard League legal team, said that following the threat of judicial review the Home Office has agreed it will hold a public inquiry of sorts. He said the details were not yet clear.
Register Now to Continue Reading
Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's Included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector
Already have an account? Sign in here
