THE recent death of Burnley boy Adam Rickwood is a harsh reminder of the vulnerability of human life, and not least that of a child.

Adam, who tragically took his own life whilst in custody in a Young Offenders Institution, is just one of many young people being failed by the government.

Young Offender Institutions and detention centres like Hindley and Lancaster Farms are no place for vulnerable children.

We have heard disturbing stories of young people in this country having to urinate in plastic bags while being transported to institutions because there were inadequate toilet facilities.

We have also heard of cells being smeared with excrement and institutions isolating young people for up to 23 hours at a time.

If vulnerable children are faced with conditions such as these, it is not surprising that rates of self-harm and attempted suicide are now spiralling out of control in institutions across the UK. And what's more, the chance of getting them back on track is unlikely.

Prison is being used as the solution to youth crime but with 85 per cent of young people re-offending within two years of release, custody is not only damaging children, physically and mentally, it is simply not working.

MARK IVORY, Acting Editor, Community Care magazine, The Quadrant, Sutton, Surrey.