Unlocking Potential

A report by the Children’s Commissioner for England has considered the safeguarding needs of young people in custody. Read the report of the Children’s Commissioner here: Unlocking Potential

Recommendations set out by the Children’s Commissioner:

Young people should only be placed in isolation

as a last resort

not very often

not for a long time.

Every time a young person is placed in isolation, it should be recorded.

More work is needed to find out why young people from particular groups are more likely to experience isolation in custody.

Opportunities for young people in isolation – such as socialising, education and exercise – should continue when it’s safe to do so.

Youth justice establishments should review their sanctions and rewards to make sure that they encourage positive behaviour and achievements.

Other relevant publications

Youth Justice Board publications and research: Youth Justice Board publications

Barnardo’s publications:

No Fixed Abode: the accommodation struggle for young people leaving custody in England

From playground to prison: the conveyor belt to crime

Locking up or giving up? Why custody thresholds for teenagers aged 12, 13 and 14 needs to be raised

NYAS offer information, advice, advocacy and legal representation to children, young people and vulnerable adults: NYAS information, advice, advocacy and legal representation

Coram Legal Centre Research and Publications on Youth Justice

James Hadi, Lecturer with a particular interest in the field of Youth Justice, Care Leavers and Looked After Children has tweeted a recommendation to read: Children behind bars Why the abuse of child imprisonment must end

“@ChildrensComm: Unlocking Potential report for young people: https://t.co/AkGcavSWny” this needs reading with this https://t.co/YQ2jmUjaAT

— jameel hadi (@jameel_hadi) October 24, 2015