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Parliamentary candidates face being lobbied by youth justice campaigners over the issue of child deaths in custody in the run-up to the general election, writes Maria Ahmed from the House of Commons.

Hilton Dawson MP told a meeting with youth justice campaigners including Nacro and The Children’s Society in parliament today that he would table an early day motion on the issue.

Twenty eight children have died in custody since 1990, with three of these deaths occurring in the last 12 months. Adam Rickwood became the youngest ever person to die in custody aged 14-years-old.

Speaking at a parliamentary debate last week, Dawson told home officer minister Paul Goggins: “We know what happens to social workers in cases in the community where children die at the hands of parents or carers, but it seems there is little concern about children who have committed offences who die in our prisons.”

Rehabilitation agency Nacro also published a report this week calling for a reduction of young people in custody which urges the government to take action at looking at alternatives to prison.

Community Care campaigned during 2004 for a reduction of the numbers of children being sent to prison. For more information
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