An 18-month study into care leavers in prison has revealed
government confusion about the number locked up.
A study by the National Children's Bureau finds that, although the
Department for Education and Skills claims just 4 per cent of
children in prison have been in care, the Youth Justice Board
claims 18 per cent.
Meanwhile, a separate survey of a young offender institution on one
day found that half of the 280 inmates had been looked after, the
charity claims. The care status of a further 25 per cent was
ambiguous and nearly one in five was entitled to social services
support.
Article continues below the advertisement
Diana Hart, principal officer at the NCB's children's residential
care unit, warned: "There is systematic under-reporting, with DfES
questions about inmates not getting the real numbers and the YJB
asking the wrong questions about care status."
