HOWARD LEAGUE CAMPAIGN ON CHILDREN IN CUSTODY

Early day motion 827, tabled 21 October 2005 by Dame Cheryl Gillan (Conservative). Signed by 94 members.

That this House supports the Howard League for Penal Reform campaign to end child deaths in custody; notes that 29 children have died in prisons and secure training centres since 1990; calls on the Government to end the use of Prison Service accommodation for children because it is a damaging environment and is ineffective in reducing re-offending; further notes that local authority secure children's homes can provide a safe environment for those children who have committed serious and violent offences and represent a continuing danger to the public; and calls on the Government to ensure that better ways of dealing with child offenders in the community are developed and utilised, including restorative justice programmes.

Signatures by party: Conservative 40, Labour 40, Liberal Democrat 9, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Plaid Cymru 1, Respect 1, UUP 1.