Group urges child custody reform

Nearly 3,000 children are detained in prisons

Too many children who break the law are kept in custody, a conference in London organised by a prison reform charity will hear later.

The event is part of a campaign by the Howard League for Penal Reform to end deaths of children in custody and minimise the use of this custody.

Its director Frances Crook said they advocated "child-centred approaches".

An average of two children a year have died in custody since 1990. Others face bullying and violence, said Ms Frances.

She said children in custody are at increased risk of suicide and face problems such as self-injury.

In September there were just under 3,500 children in custody - an increase of 10% on the previous year.

The majority - just under 3,000 - are held in prison with around 250 being held in secure training centres and the same number in local authority units.

The Howard League's campaign to reduce the use of custody for children is being backed by a number of children's charities including ChildLine, the Children's Society and the NSPCC.

A petition on the issue is due to be handed in to Downing Street early next year.