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BULLYING-SELF-HARM-VIOLENCE-ABUSE-SUICIDE-DEPRESSION-ASSAULT

These are just some of the problems that have become an everyday reality for many of the 2,500 children and young people and the 8,500 18-21 year olds who are currently living behind bars in the UK.

We lock up more youngsters who offend under 21 years of age than any other country in Europe.  But the conditions in many young offender institutions are often poor and unacceptable, failing to meet the needs of vulnerable children and young people. 

The effect this is having on those in custody, combined with the impact it is likely to have when they are released, a matter of  intense concern.  The violation of human rights and the lack of respect shown for our young people should not be tolerated and the Government has a duty to address those issues which are hampering progress in prisons.  It must also do more to promote the positive reintegration of these young people on completing their sentences.

Community Care acting editor Mark Ivory said: “The Government seems to be using prison as the solution to youth crime but despite increasing numbers in  custody, the problem is getting worse not better.  Reoffending rates are high with more than 80% of young people committing more offences within two years of release.  Not only is custody expensive but it’s clear that it is just not working.”

Young offenders’ experience of prison varies widely but the horror stories emerging from institutions are becoming all too common.  The new chair of the Youth Justice Board, Professor Rod Morgan, recently admitted that conditions in some young offender institutions remain “unacceptable”.  Overcrowding, bullying, self-harm, physical, sexual and emotional abuse are just some of the widespread problems in our youth justice system. Despite Government efforts to tackle these, research suggests that a new approach is needed if we are going to get these young people back on track.. 

The label ‘young offenders’ masks the fact that these are vulnerable children and young people. They may be in trouble with the law but they should still have the same human rights as any other child or young person in the UK.

Community Care is campaigning for all young people who commit offences to receive better standards of treatment and rehabilitation whilst in custody in order to help them reintegrate with society when they leave and minimize the risks of re-offending