So, the government is to set up an independent inquiry into the deaths in custody of 18- to 24-year-olds. Forty eight young people in that age bracket have ended their lives behind bars in the last 10 years. Shamefully, the inquiry, led by the Labour peer Lord Harris, will not cover the deaths of children under 18 who have died in young offender institutions (YOIs) and secure training centres. Eight children have met their deaths in custody in the last 10 years, at least two of whom died during, or after, being unlawfully restrained. Imagine if that number of children had died while at public schools? There would have been an inquiry for sure.

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