On 8 August 2004, 14 year-old Adam Rickwood was found hanging in his cell in a child prison run by Serco. In addition to a note for his family, asking to be buried with his grandad, Adam left behind a statement explaining that officers had deliberately swiped his nose, and that he bled for nearly … Read more
An inspection report published today (9 May) states the London Borough of Hounslow has improved its child protection scrutiny and action in response to abuse allegations from boys in Feltham prison. This has previously been an area of great concern for Article 39. The report says inspectors “found examples of improvements to safeguarding practice as … Read more
The British Medical Association, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and the Royal College of Psychiatrists have issued a joint position statement calling for the prohibition of solitary confinement in child prisons and secure children’s homes. The health bodies say: “There is an unequivocal body of evidence on the profound impact solitary confinement can … Read more
With 27 other organisations and 15 social work experts, Article 39 has written to the Minister in charge of children’s social care, Nadhim Zahawi MP, to urge him not to accept five recommendations in the fostering stocktake The fostering stocktake was undertaken by Sir Martin Narey and Mark Owers. They made 36 recommendations in total, … Read more
The Ministry of Justice is reviewing its authorisation of pain-inducing restraint by GEOAmey escort custody officers taking children to and from secure children’s homes and secure training centres. This follows our threat of legal action. Restraint techniques which deliberately inflict pain on children are banned in secure children’s homes. Yet escort custody officers employed by … Read more