75ZT Community

I sent a 13 year old boy into custody for 18 months today. It's never easy to send a youth to custody, and a boy of 13... well, you can imagine.

He had already been remanded in custody for six weeks pending trial and sentence.

I told him that we had no choice in the matter and said that we hoped that he would get his life in order when he was released.

He said " 's OK mate, I like prison, people look after me and tell me what to do and when and the screws actually listen to me and help."

Perhaps you should have sentenced his parents!

PaulT wrote:Perhaps you should have sentenced his parents!

Mother is already in custody.

Father is unknown.

One only ever thinks of old lags as being institutionalised.
This kid obviously doesn't feel safe or able to cope on the outside so maybe the best option.

Mick wrote:One only ever thinks of old lags as being institutionalised.
This kid obviously doesn't feel safe or able to cope on the outside so maybe the best option.

He has been in care for a year Mick. It seems those professionals charged with his care showed little or no interest either.