Howard League for Penal Reform staff.
The Howard League for Penal Reform is campaigning to prevent the mistreatment of vulnerable children and young people under the care of the state.
The Campaign
The Howard League for Penal Reform became aware that there was an unlawful separation policy being operated at Oakhill secure training centre. The consequence of the policy was that there was no time limit on how long a child held in custody at Oakhill could be locked in their room, nor were there any procedural safeguards built into the policy. Howard League tried to secure policy amendments through discussion with the Youth Custody Service, but in the end had to issue legal proceedings to force change.
The issue had come to light through young people affected by the policy contacting Howard League’s free legal advice service, which supports children and young people aged 21 and under in custody. However, they ultimately brought the case in their own name, which the government accepted was appropriate in the circumstances.
In August 2025, permission was granted by the High Court for the case to proceed, following which the government conceded the claim.
Royal Courts of Justice.
Being shortlisted for a Best Use of Law award is recognition of the psychological harm that can be caused by isolating children, even for short periods, and how litigation can be used as an effective tool to hold government to account. All children need exercise, education and contact with other people if they are to grow, progress and live healthily as adults. But children in prison, who are some of the most vulnerable children in society, are frequently spending hours locked alone in their cells. The Howard League will continue to challenge the harmful practice of separating children in custodial settings.”
Sinead MacCann
Managing Solicitor, Howard League for Penal Reform
The Change
The Secretary of State amended the policy to ensure that it complies with the law. This means that children and young people at Oakhill, many of whom have complex needs and experienced significant trauma, are not at risk of being locked indefinitely in their room.
It is of considerable public interest that children and young people in custody are not subjected to unlawful, and potentially indefinite, separation. Separation, even for short periods of time, can cause psychological harm, especially to children. This case was of particular significance for children and young people detained at Oakhill, but the treatment of vulnerable children and young people under the care of the state is a matter of wider general public importance.
The Howard League has long been concerned with the separation of children in custody, in conditions often amounting to solitary confinement. They have brought a number of cases challenging practices and policies around the separation of children in penal custody. This case reaffirms the importance of adhering to legislative safeguards when separating children from their peers. More broadly, this case shines a light on why prison – and Oakhill secure training centre – are no place for a child.
The Future
The current landscape of custodial settings for children is not fit for purpose in meeting the complex needs and welfare requirements of children and young people. Young offender institutions (YOIs) and secure training centres routinely fail to provide a safe and rehabilitative environment. Instead, these institutions tend to intensify children’s trauma and negative experiences.
Statistics obtained by the Howard League show that children in YOIs continue to spend prolonged periods of time in their rooms and are not getting access to the education they are entitled to.
Howard League will continue to challenge the harmful practice of separating children in custodial settings, as well as campaigning for YOIs and Oakhill to be closed.
