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

Source: Ministry of Justice (2009) Sentencing Statistics England and Wales 2007

Today we imprison more children and young people than almost any other country, with 7,000 prison sentences given to children last year. Our jails are full of kids who have experienced abuse, neglect or bereavement – a third have been in care, a third have witnessed or experienced domestic violence, one in five have depression and more than three quarters have been excluded from school.

Despite the damage caused by locking children up, far from their friends, family and communities, the majority should not be there. Imprisonment is expensive and ineffective, with more than three quarters released reconvicted within a year. Despite this, we continue to lock up many children who have committed non-violent offences. 

Average child prison population by offence group, England and Wales 2007-08

Source: Youth Justice Board (2008) Annual Workload Data 2007-08

Out of Trouble believes that jailing children for non-violent offences is wrong, and the results of a recent poll, which asked whether imprisoning children for non-violent offences was effective, suggests the majority of the public agree. Instead of locking these children up we should help them to make amends for their mistakes and play a positive role in our communities. Secure placements in small, welfare-oriented units should be reserved for the minority of children who commit serious offences and who pose a risk to society.
If custody was truly used as a measure of last resort, we could shut down many children’s prisons. But to achieve this we need your help. Get involved and send a clear message to the government that it’s time for change.   

Question: Is imprisoning children and young people who commit non-violent offences an effective way of preventing reoffending? 

Source: SmartJustice/PRT ICM poll 1,034 adults 14-16th December 2007