Review Highlights Failures in Child Imprisonment Reforms in England

Review Highlights Failures in Child Imprisonment Reforms in England

(IN BRIEF) A major review involving research from the University of Liverpool has revealed significant failings in child imprisonment reforms in England over the past 25 years. Titled Why Child Imprisonment is Beyond Reform: A Review of the Evidence, the study criticizes ongoing reform efforts since the 1998 Crime and Disorder Act, calling for immediate government action. Key recommendations include removing children from prisons, closing juvenile detention facilities, and establishing an independent inquiry into alternatives to imprisonment. The review has been endorsed by numerous human rights and youth justice organizations. Professor Barry Goldson emphasized the historical ineffectiveness and harm of child imprisonment, urging an end to the current system. The findings will be presented to government officials, with a summary report for MPs expected in September 2024, aiming to reignite discussions on child imprisonment policies in England.

(PRESS RELEASE) LIVERPOOL, 13-Aug-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — A comprehensive review, featuring research from the University of Liverpool, has uncovered significant shortcomings in child imprisonment reforms in England over the past 25 years. Titled Why Child Imprisonment is Beyond Reform: A Review of the Evidence, the study analyzes the effectiveness of initiatives introduced since the Crime and Disorder Act of 1998.Targeting government officials and policymakers in youth justice and child welfare, the review asserts that reform efforts have consistently fallen short. It calls for immediate actions, including the removal of children from the prison system, the closure of juvenile detention facilities, and the initiation of an independent inquiry into alternatives to incarceration. The report emphasizes the need for a national strategy to facilitate the closure of child prisons, proposing that secure childcare establishments only be used when absolutely necessary to prevent serious harm.

The review has received support from several prominent human rights and youth justice organizations, including the Alliance for Youth Justice, Article 39, and the Howard League for Penal Reform, among others.

Professor Barry Goldson, an expert from the University of Liverpool and a principal contributor to the review, highlighted the long-standing issues associated with child imprisonment. He stated, “For nearly two centuries, children have been placed in various institutions that have been shown to be harmful and ineffective. It is time to end this cycle of failure and close child prisons in favor of more effective alternatives.”

This review is part of the End Child Imprisonment campaign, led by Article 39, which advocates for children’s human rights. The findings will be shared with government ministers and civil servants, with a summary report intended for Members of Parliament in September 2024. The results are anticipated to provoke renewed discussions on the future of child imprisonment in England, urging policymakers to adopt transformative measures in response to the evidence presented.

For further insights, an article discussing the research can be found in The Guardian, and the full report is available online.

Media Contacts:

Joanne Carr
Deputy Director of Communications and Public Affairs
T: +44 (0)7825 434900
E: jocarr@liverpool.ac.uk

Catrin Owen
Media Relations Manager – Humanities and Social Sciences
T: +44 (0)7721 834238
E: catrin.owen@liverpool.ac.uk

Sarah Stamper
Media Relations Manager – Science and Engineering
T: +44 (0)7970 247396
E: sarah.stamper@liverpool.ac.uk

Jennifer Morgan
Media Relations Manager – Health and Life Sciences
T: +44 (0)7775 547589
E: J.L.Morgan@liverpool.ac.uk

Alison Cornmell
Media Relations Manager – Health and Life Sciences
T: +44 (0) 7771 700680
E: Alison.Cornmell@liverpool.ac.uk

SOURCE: University of Liverpool