Courts in England and Wales are locking up more than five times as many children than in the early 1990s, according to the charity Barnardo's.
Courts in England and Wales are locking up more than five times as many children than in the early 1990s, according to the charity Barnardo's.
There has been a 550% increase in use of custody for 10 to 14-year-olds since 1996, despite no major change in the type of offending, said the charity.
There has been a 550% increase in use of custody for 10 to 14-year-olds since 1996, despite no major change in the type of offending, said the charity.
It wants sentencing policy changed so only serious crimes attract such terms.
It wants sentencing policy changed so only serious crimes attract such terms.
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said just three in 100 young people convicted of offences receive custodial sentences.
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said just three in 100 young people convicted of offences receive custodial sentences.
An spokesman added that custodial sentences for under 14s were a last resort.
An spokesman added that custodial sentences for under 14s were a last resort.
Preventative work
Preventative work
Campaigners have said prosecutions of young people increased after the age of criminal responsibility was lowered from 14 to 10 in 1997.
Campaigners have said prosecutions of young people increased after the age of criminal responsibility was lowered from 14 to 10 in 1997.
But according to Barnardo's, only 7% of the 572 custodial sentences on 10-14 year-olds last year were for "grave" crimes.
But according to Barnardo's, only 7% of the 572 custodial sentences on 10-14 year-olds last year were for "grave" crimes.
It is also concerned some children are finding themselves locked up after breaching behavioural orders.
It is also concerned some children are finding themselves locked up after breaching behavioural orders.
Martin Narey, Barnardo's chief executive, and former director general of the Prison Service, said: "We should drastically reduce the use of custody for very young children in England and Wales."
Martin Narey, Barnardo's chief executive, and former director general of the Prison Service, said: "We should drastically reduce the use of custody for very young children in England and Wales."
It is often the most vulnerable young people in society who end up in the criminal justice system Martin Narey Barnardo's chief executive
It is often the most vulnerable young people in society who end up in the criminal justice system Martin Narey Barnardo's chief executive
He added: "Barnardo's are not naive: we recognise that children committing grave crimes need to be incarcerated.
He added: "Barnardo's are not naive: we recognise that children committing grave crimes need to be incarcerated.
"But the explosion in the use of custody for very young children when youth offending has not been growing is inexplicable, unjustifiable and unnecessary.
"But the explosion in the use of custody for very young children when youth offending has not been growing is inexplicable, unjustifiable and unnecessary.
"It is often the most vulnerable young people in society who end up in the criminal justice system, and despite this only 5% of the £445m spent by the Youth Justice Board (YJB) was invested in preventative work."
"It is often the most vulnerable young people in society who end up in the criminal justice system, and despite this only 5% of the £445m spent by the Youth Justice Board (YJB) was invested in preventative work."
The charity said the number of children and young people imprisoned in England and Wales is the third highest in Europe, behind only the Russian Federation and the Ukraine.
The charity said the number of children and young people imprisoned in England and Wales is the third highest in Europe, behind only the Russian Federation and the Ukraine.
According to the charity, holding a child in custody for a year can cost as much as £185,780 - the same as six years' schooling at Eton College.
According to the charity, holding a child in custody for a year can cost as much as £185,780 - the same as six years' schooling at Eton College.
Barnardo's also said incarceration was ineffective - 78% of 10 to 14-year-olds will re-offend within 12 months of being released, it said.
Barnardo's also said locking up young people was ineffective - 78% of 10 to 14-year-olds will re-offend within 12 months of being released, it said.
Mr Narey is set to debate the issue with the Justice Secretary Jack Straw at the Labour Conference in Manchester.
Mr Narey is set to debate the issue with the Justice Secretary Jack Straw at the Labour Conference in Manchester.
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