MPs will today debate the prospect of ending child imprisonment. The Westminster Hall debate, sponsored by Emma Lewell-Buck MP, comes after pressure from a coalition of likeminded organisations who are campaigning for an end to the imprisonment of children in England and Wales.
The End Child Imprisonment campaign, launched in November 2018, is run by a steering group of Article 39, the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, Howard League for Penal Reform, INQUEST, Just for Kids Law, National Association for Youth Justice, Standing Committee for Youth Justice and leading children’s rights and penal reform experts. In April 2019, we published ‘Principles and minimum expectations for children deprived of their liberty’, providing a framework for safe and effective secure care.