Children on short‑term remand: HMIP finds custody too often used as a default, not a last resort

 

Children on short‑term remand: a thematic review (HMIP)

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) has published a thematic report on children held on short‑term remand, raising serious concerns that even brief periods of custody harm children and that remand is too often used disproportionately rather than as a genuine last resort.

Details

The report examines children who were placed under short remand before release, and identifies four key concerns:

  1. Remand was often disproportionate: many children were held for very short periods and released at their next court appearance, with bail or community alternatives not adequately considered or available, suggesting remand was used as a default rather than a last resort.
  2. Custody was disruptive and harmful: even brief periods disrupted children’s education, accommodation, family relationships and mental health, with children describing feeling frightened and confused, particularly upon the first experience of custody.
  3. Assessment and planning were inadequate: short remand periods meant assessments were often not started or incompleted, planning was reactive, and safeguarding concerns, vulnerabilities and health needs were not consistently identified.
  4. Resettlement and release planning were insufficient: children were frequently released without accommodation, education or support in place, increasing the risk of instability and recurring offences.

Commentary

The report is a clear reminder that remand must be a genuine last resort for children, not a default. Practitioners should fully explore alternatives to remand, including bail supervision, electronic monitoring and intensive community programmes, before custody is sought. Where a child is remanded, practitioners should ensure that safeguarding checks, vulnerability assessments and health screenings are prioritised and information is shared promptly between agencies. Moreover, release planning should be initiated at the point of remand so that accommodation, education and community support are in place on release, consistent with constructive resettlement and Child First principles.