Hendry, a former shadow youth minister, is concerned about the mental health and learning needs of young offenders. Introducing the bill to Parliament, he said young offender institutions are the most depressing places. He added: I dont know how you can rehabilitate someone if you lock them up in a cell for 18 hours a day.
The bill, which is unlikely to become law unless it gets government backing, calls for a full assessment of prisoners with mental health needs, and a clear pathway of treatment to be prescribed both during their time in prison and on their release.
The Howard League for Penal Reform is calling for a public inquiry into the treatment of young people with mental illness who are imprisoned.
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