Edmund Clark

Children as young as ten can be imprisoned in the UK. Imprisonment is damaging, inhumane and ineffective. We believe that prison should be reserved for those children and young people who have committed, or are in danger of committing, violent offences. At least two-thirds of children who are locked up every year should not be there. Take Action Now.

Children as young as 10 can be imprisoned in the United Kingdom

Almost a quarter of children in prison have learning difficulties

Children found guilty of criminal damage today spend twice as long in prison compared to 10 years ago

One fifth of children in prison don't receive any visits from friends or family

Nearly 7,000 prison sentences were given to children last year

Children in prison are 18 times more likely to commit suicide than their peers outside

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About

Out of Trouble is a Prison Reform Trust campaign which is working to reduce the number of children and young people who are imprisoned in the UK.


Children as young as ten can be imprisoned for committing a crime in this country. Imprisonment involves a total loss of liberty and can be very damaging, particularly for those who are still growing and maturing.


30 children have died in custody since 1990, the youngest of whom was 14. Boys in prison are 18 times more likely to commit suicide than boys in the community. As well as being damaging, imprisonment doesn’t work – three quarters of all under 18 year olds who are imprisoned will reoffend within a year of leaving - and is incredibly expensive, with two thirds of the Youth Justice Board's budget spent on locking-up children in England and Wales.


We believe prison should be reserved for children and young people who have committed serious crimes. Most children and young people have a better chance of turning their lives around and of keeping out of trouble if they serve their sentences in the community and get support from local services. If fewer were imprisoned, those inside could get the help they need to turn their lives around.


For most young people, out of trouble means keeping them out of prison.  With your help we can secure change for children and young people in trouble.