Ruling on restraint disappoints

Despite the controversial role of restraint in teenage deaths in custody, we are no nearer to solving the problem.

While the inquest into Adam Rickwood’s death exonerated the staff earlier this month, the coroner called for a wide-ranging review of restraint.

The Ministry of Justice’s response has been to try to clear up the legal right to use restraint in order to maintain “good order and discipline” in secure training centres. It effectively legitimises the restraint of children for dissent at the secure training centre where Adam died. He killed himself following a “nose distraction” technique.

Restraint should only be used as last resort and yet this move promotes force at the expense of mediation.

It really is time for a proper review.

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 Mike Broad

This article appeared in the 21 June issue under the headline “Shameful response”