Children in care homes 'excessively criminalised'

Press Association - The Guardian

Research from the Howard League for Penal Reform suggests that children in care in the UK are more likely to be criminalized, and to come into contact with the criminal justice system, particularly children in residential care homes, according to this article from the Guardian. Furthermore, a report from the Howard League indicates that police are often called into care homes for minor incidents to fill a care gap. According to the report, care home staff “were using the police cells as respite to cover staff shortages and because staff were not trained and competent to deal with children’s behaviour.”