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

According to responses to Parliamentary Questions tabled by Baroness Stern last month, between July 2009 and June 2010 there were three instances in which restraint was stopped because children complained of having difficulty breathing. 

Just as worrying were figures for injuries caused by restraint, which showed that, in the period between July last year and May this year, children sustained 114 injuries, including to the face, neck and wrists. Over a four year period, staff were disciplined 14 times and suspended on 13 occasions, with one member of staff dismissed last year following an incident of restraint in an STC.

The YJB has announced plans to roll out a new conflict resolution training programme to designed to reduce the need for restraint.