Tough rhetoric fuels rise in teenage inmates
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Howard League for Penal Reform yesterday called for an end to the use of prison for teenage offenders after a report highlighted a big increase in the jailing of 15- and 16-year-olds. It blamed tough law-and-order rhetoric from politicians for fuelling a steep rise in the number of juveniles and young offenders held in custody.
The report argued that local authority secure units are the appropriate place for those children who have to be detained. The Government has already pledged to ensure 15- and 16-year-olds do not mix with older offenders.
The Prison Service said that the untried juvenile prison population - those on remand - rose by about 20 per cent between June 1995 and June 1996, from 409 to 485. And the number of sentenced juveniles - 15- to 17-year-olds - rose by 37 per cent over the same period, from 988 to 1,356.
The report argues that sending children into custody results in high levels of self-injury and bullying, and alarming reconviction rates. The Chief Inspector of Prisons has also identified this as a problem and has set up an inquiry. Jason Bennetto
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments