Police beds `last resort'

The consequences of leaving youth in a police cell long term can be catastrophic, says Principal Youth Court Judge Andrew Becroft.
He said it was unacceptable to leave children aged between 14 and 16 in solitary custody for days on end. It was accepted that a night in a police cell might hammer home to a youth offender the consequences of their offending, he said.
But as of 9am yesterday morning there were nine youths staying in police cells.
Judge Becroft said he did not object to youths being in secure facilities. It was just that police cells were not the ideal situation.
"There is universal concern among Youth Court judges up and down the country about this," he said.
"Judges remand young people to police cells as an absolute last resort."
Judges were aware teenagers would be in solitary confinement and were provided with limited facilities. No education was available, they received limited visits and the hygiene was not good.
"Child, Youth and Family are doing all they can," he said. However, he believed CYF was short about 20 to 30 beds in residential facilities.