HOWARD LEAGUE CAMPAIGN ON CHILDREN IN CUSTODY

That this House supports the Howard League for Penal Reform campaign to end child deaths in custody; notes that 29 children have died in prisons and secure training centres since 1990; calls on the Government to end the use of Prison Service accommodation for children because it is a damaging environment and is ineffective in reducing re-offending; further notes that local authority secure children's homes can provide a safe environment for those children who have committed serious and violent offences and represent a continuing danger to the public; and calls on the Government to ensure that better ways of dealing with child offenders in the community are developed and utilised, including restorative justice programmes.