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The Observer view on sending children to secure homes for their protection: this is no solution The Observer view on sending children to secure homes for their protection: this is no solution
(7 days later)
Innocent young people are being locked up in the prison service's secure children's homes. This is not new – but it should be shocking. Such homes are supposed to be places of incarceration for those convicted of crimes. However, in recent years, an increasing number of children within these institutions are guilty only of being vulnerable. The numbers may be small – just under 250 children are held at any one time in secure children's homes in England and Wales – but of these almost half have been placed there for their own welfare. Innocent young people are being locked up in secure children's homes. This is not new – but it should be shocking. Such homes are supposed to be places of incarceration for those convicted of crimes. However, in recent years, an increasing number of children within these institutions are guilty only of being vulnerable. The numbers may be small – just under 250 children are held at any one time in secure children's homes in England and Wales – but of these almost half have been placed there for their own welfare.
Their presence in the prison system is increasingly down to fear. Local authorities, frightened that the next child grooming or neglect scandal will happen on their watch, are requesting places in secure children's homes for the more difficult charges in their care. Their presence is increasingly down to fear. Local authorities, frightened that the next child grooming or neglect scandal will happen on their watch, are taking places in secure children's homes for the more difficult charges in their care.
These are often young people with mental health and addiction issues. Many lead chaotic lives, making them difficult to monitor and support. Understandably, obtaining the consent of a judge for them to be placed in a secure children's home, for up to three months at a time, may seem like the "least bad" way of ensuring they do not slip through society's safety net.These are often young people with mental health and addiction issues. Many lead chaotic lives, making them difficult to monitor and support. Understandably, obtaining the consent of a judge for them to be placed in a secure children's home, for up to three months at a time, may seem like the "least bad" way of ensuring they do not slip through society's safety net.
But incarceration is unlikely to resolve the complex societal and psychological problems that rendered them vulnerable in the first place.But incarceration is unlikely to resolve the complex societal and psychological problems that rendered them vulnerable in the first place.
While they may receive therapy and counselling while inside, it has to be asked whether any of the benefits that come from this can outweigh the terrible price extracted by the deprivation of their liberty.While they may receive therapy and counselling while inside, it has to be asked whether any of the benefits that come from this can outweigh the terrible price extracted by the deprivation of their liberty.
Putting children, who often feel that they are to blame for their troubles, behind bars simply serves to punish them for their problems. No compassionate society would advocate this.Putting children, who often feel that they are to blame for their troubles, behind bars simply serves to punish them for their problems. No compassionate society would advocate this.
It is true that such decisions to incarcerate the innocent are not made lightly by local authorities and judges, but often they have few options.It is true that such decisions to incarcerate the innocent are not made lightly by local authorities and judges, but often they have few options.
There is a dearth of specialist foster carers who are trained to work with children at risk of physical and sexual exploitation. There are few specialist safe houses where they can be relocated away from the threats posed by gangs. Ultimately, it comes down to a question of resources. How much as a society are we prepared to pay for their recovery? It is to be applauded that more children at risk of harm are being identified. These are the lost children who have been "found". Incarceration risks losing them a second time. There is a dearth of specialist foster carers who are trained to work with children at risk of physical and sexual exploitation. There are few specialist safe houses where they can be relocated away from the threats posed by gangs. Ultimately, it comes down to a question of resources. How much as a society are we prepared to pay for their recovery? It is to be applauded that more children at risk of harm are being identified. These are the lost children who have been "found". Incarceration risks losing them a second time.• This article was amended on 28 August 2014 to remove a reference to the prison service.