Watchdog finds children exposed to extreme violence in short-term custodial remands

A report by HM Inspectorate of Prisons has revealed that nearly 100 children in England and Wales are remanded to custody each year, only to be bailed or transferred to local authority accommodation within two weeks. Inspectors found that these short-term placements often expose vulnerable children to extreme violence, including stabbings, within young offender institutions. The findings underscore significant concerns regarding the use of custody as a default response for children awaiting trial or sentencing.

Data covering the period from 1 August 2024 to 31 July 2025 shows that 190 children were remanded to custody before being bailed. Of these, 91, representing 48 per cent, were held for two weeks or less, while 65, or 34 per cent, were detained for seven days or less. More than half of the children remanded for less than a week were held in young offender institutions, where inspectors noted that levels of violence were higher than in any adult prison.

The report highlights the experiences of 25 children held for seven days or less, many of whom were in custody for the first time. Inspectors recorded accounts of children witnessing stabbings and facing intimidating behaviour from peers. Many of these children were identified as vulnerable, with complex needs including neurodivergent conditions, previous trauma, or experience of local authority care. Few were provided with clear information regarding the reasons for their detention, leaving many confused and frightened.

The findings coincide with Justice Secretary David Lammy’s recent announcement of a white paper aimed at reducing custodial remands for children by 25 per cent by the end of the current parliament. The government has committed £5 million to support community-based alternatives. Lammy stated that the plan seeks to tackle the drivers of offending to prevent young people from becoming trapped in cycles of crime, aligning with the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012, which establishes a presumption of bail as the starting point for children.

Andrea Coomber, chief executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, criticised the current system, stating that children were being punished for the mistakes of services that should be supporting them. She described prison as a toxic environment where even short stays can be profoundly damaging. HM Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor noted that well over half of children on remand do not go on to receive a custodial sentence, suggesting that many short-term remands are avoidable and that the system requires urgent improvement.