Policy Press

Children Behind Bars

Why the Abuse of Child Imprisonment Must End

By Carolyne Willow

Published

Feb 11, 2015

Page count

376 pages

ISBN

978-1447321538

Dimensions

216 x 138 mm

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Feb 11, 2015

Page count

376 pages

ISBN

978-1447321552

Dimensions

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Feb 11, 2015

Page count

376 pages

ISBN

978-1447321569

Dimensions

Imprint

Policy Press
Children Behind Bars

Every day children exiled to prison are exposed to abusive and neglectful treatment, yet their plight is hidden. Based on wide-ranging research and first-person interviews, this passionately argued book presents the shocking truth about the lives and deaths of children in custody.

Drawing on human rights legislation and progress in the care and treatment of vulnerable children elsewhere, it outlines the harsh realities of penal child custody including hunger, denial of fresh air, cramped and dirty cells, strip-searching, segregation, the authorised infliction of severe pain, uncivilised conditions for suicidal children and ever-present violence and intimidation. The issues are explored through the lens of protection, not punishment, and the author finds there can be only one conclusion: child prisons must close. Providing a compelling manifesto for urgent and radical change, this book should be read by everyone who cares about child protection and human rights.

Carolyne Willow started her career as a child protection social worker and has spent the past 25 years campaigning for children's rights. Between 2000 and 2012, she was head of the Children's Rights Alliance for England, during which time she led the charity's successful fight for transparency in restraint techniques and initiated legal action to try and force the government to notify former child prisoners that they were unlawfully restrained.

Introduction;

Things were not right at home;

They just don't listen;

I think it’s quite like rape;

I can't breathe;

What gives them the right to hit a child in the nose;

We should be able to hug our families;

Every night I'm starving;

Children were given bags to urinate in;

The violence is unbelievable;

Listen to the kids;

They shouldn't be there.