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

Home

Learn

Latest story February 2009

Sally's story

"I'm 15. I was a passenger in a stolen car. I got ISSP (Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programme) for 6 months, with the Youth Offending Team. Once you're on an order and you breach, you get put on something higher, so it just keeps going from there. They just keep escalating it. 'Cos I was looking after my niece I breached some of my meetings. I got a four month DTO (Detention and Training Order) but I'll do two months.

Latest evidence October 2009

The changing face of child imprisonment

October 2009

Between 1991 and 2006 the number of children who were sentenced to custody more than tripled. At the same time, the average number of children in prison has also jumped, from 327 in 1991 to 2,600 in 2009, an increase of almost 800%. Children sentenced to prison are also spending longer locked up now than ever before – with the average prison sentence given to children for non-violent offences increasing dramatically. 


Average prison sentence given to children in magistrates’ court 1997-2007

Latest photos January 2010

Young men on ISSP

"The young men featured in these photographs were on an Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programme (ISSP). As part of their bail conditions or their sentence they were required to spend 25 hours under intensive supervision for the first 3 months. The rigorous regime was monitored by a team of dedicated workers offering support through 25 hours of contact time a week, including during evenings and weekends.

Latest news August 2010

More cause for concern with use of restraint

August 2010

Latest Parliamentary figures show that campaigners' concerns over the use of restraint in secure training centres are well-founded.

Latest publication 30 July 2010

Transition to Adulthood - Young Adult Manifesto

Transition to Adulthood is an alliance of voluntary organisations, of which the Prison Reform Trust is a member, which is working to improve the opportunities and life chances of young adults in their transition to adulthood.  Young adults are significantly over-represented in the criminal justice system yet their distinct needs are largely ignored.  The alliance is committed to raising awareness of the problems this group faces and aims to secure policy change to improve their lives.