Children Deserve Better: Rethinking Custody and Care

The Children’s Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza, has called for the closure of all Young Offender Institutions (YOIs) — warning that hundreds of children are being held unnecessarily, often in unsafe or unsuitable environments.

Her statement follows new data showing that more than half of children remanded to custody never receive a custodial sentence.
De Souza described this as a “retreat from our moral duty” to protect and nurture young people in care and justice systems.

The call echoes a wider truth: when systems lose clarity and coordination, vulnerable children fall through the gaps.

At Emmaus Safe, we see this across sectors — from education and care to justice and community settings.
Safety isn’t just about protection. It’s about purpose, consistency, and giving professionals the tools and confidence to act early and act well.

The Commissioner’s message is clear:

“Every child deserves safety, stability, and love — not custody when care has failed.”

This is a moment to reflect on how we design systems that don’t just protect — but restore.

Source: The Guardian – Children’s Commissioner calls for closure of Young Offender Institutions