I am appalled at the latest findings from Charlie Taylor about conditions for children living in the secure estate.
For too long, decision makers have turned a blind eye to dangerous living conditions for young people living in custody. These are some of our most vulnerable children, with many having experience in the care system, child poverty, exclusion from school and special educational needs. Their stories are almost universally ones of being failed by services at every stage of their lives.
The report confirms what I have warned about for years: these are not safe places. They are not therapeutic. They are not fit for children.
The violence children experience in custody is not just from peers, it is often enabled, ignored, or even perpetrated by staff. Almost one in six children at Oakhill Secure Training Centre reported being sexually abused by staff in the past year alone. Across the secure estate, nearly 1 in 25 children reported the same.
The level of harm being inflicted is staggering. If this were happening in schools or foster care, there would be national outrage.
I have long called for all young offender institutions to be closed as a matter of urgency. Until then, urgent changes are needed to the way these settings are led.
Every child deserves to be safe, cared for, and treated with dignity. This includes children living in secure settings. I will continue to use my powers to shine a light on these children and push for systemic change, because no child should be harmed by the very systems meant to protect and rehabilitate them.
