Plea to scrap penal custody for children

Retiring Labour MP Hilton Dawson and a group of charities are
lobbying parliamentary candidates to demand an end to penal custody
for children.

Dawson said: “Prison cannot meet the needs of these very vulnerable
young people. It is counterproductive and impacts negatively on
children’s life chances.”

Dawson, who is returning to a career in social care after the
election, was the all-party parliamentary chair for children and
young people.

The Howard League for Penal Reform and Inquest were among the
organisations that called for an end to the use of penal custody
for children. They also urged greater use of local authority secure
children’s homes.

Seventy-five MPs signed an early day motion supporting the
campaign.