TREATMENT OF CHILDREN IN SECURE TRAINING CENTRES

That this House notes that at any one time there are at least 200 children held in secure training centres (STCs) in the UK; notes with concern that from 6th July 2007 staff in STCs were permitted to physically restrain children and were authorised by Ministers to use the very painful rib and thumb distraction to ensure good order and discipline; further notes with concern that between 1st January and 31st March 2008 restraint was used 503 times on children in STCs, and that between 1st April 2007 and 29th February 2008 there were 18 injuries resulting in hospitalisation as a result of assault, restraint, or self-harm in STCs; welcomes the Court of Appeal's decision to quash child restraint rules after the death of a child caused by restraint; supports the Children's Rights Alliance for England campaign to provide human rights information directly to children in STCs; and calls on the Government to provide compensation for children who have been unlawfully restrained.