Thousands of UK children in youth custody are being restrained by force, with the number of incidents reaching a seven-year high, according to data released by the Ministry of Justice.
According to the report, Restrictive Physical Intervention (RPI) was used to “overpower” children to restrain them 6,263 times in the year to March, up by 16% on the previous period.
The number of incidents has increased steadily since 2015 and has now reached its highest level since 2013, when 6,481 RPI’s were recorded.
The report on young offender institutions, secure training centres and secure children’s homes said force “should only be used on children and young people as a last resort, for example to prevent them causing harm to themselves or others.”
The average number of incidents has increased over the last five years with 1.8 incidents per child and young person this year, up from 1.5 incidents per offender the year before.
61 children required medical treatment for injuries after force was used, which is the lowest figure since 2012.
Most of the incidents occurred at young offender institutions or secure training centres, while nine reported at secure children’s homes.
The majority were reported as minor injuries which required immediate on-site treatment, while 11% were identified as serious enough for the child or young person to get hospital treatment.
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HeadlineIncrease in use of forceful restraint on young offenders according to Ministry of Justice
Short HeadlineIncrease in use of forceful restraint on young offenders
Standfirst61 children required medical treatment for injuries after force was used.
Thousands of UK children in youth custody are being restrained by force, with the number of incidents reaching a seven-year high, according to data released by the Ministry of Justice.
According to the report, Restrictive Physical Intervention (RPI) was used to “overpower” children to restrain them 6,263 times in the year to March, up by 16% on the previous period.
The number of incidents has increased steadily since 2015 and has now reached its highest level since 2013, when 6,481 RPI’s were recorded.
The report on young offender institutions, secure training centres and secure children’s homes said force “should only be used on children and young people as a last resort, for example to prevent them causing harm to themselves or others.”
The average number of incidents has increased over the last five years with 1.8 incidents per child and young person this year, up from 1.5 incidents per offender the year before.
61 children required medical treatment for injuries after force was used, which is the lowest figure since 2012.
Most of the incidents occurred at young offender institutions or secure training centres, while nine reported at secure children’s homes.
The majority were reported as minor injuries which required immediate on-site treatment, while 11% were identified as serious enough for the child or young person to get hospital treatment.
