The tragic death of Adam Rickwood, aged 14, from Burnley, raises very serious issues about the treatment of vulnerable children in the care of the State ("Mum's fury at Adam inquest ruling", 1 June 2007).

Although Adam was known to have mental health problems with suicidal tendencies, he was sent to a privately-run children's prison: Hassockfield Secure Training Centre, County Durham, where he died in 2004.

Shortly before his death, he was forcibly restrained by four male custody officers, using a technique that was specifically designed to inflict pain, and which left him with a bloody nose.

It is difficult to imagine the impact this had on the boy's mental state, but Adam hanged himself a few hours later.

It is the job of the Youth Justice Board (YJB) to manage the youth justice system.

Yet it was accepted by the YJB, through their lawyers at the inquest, that the use of force in circumstances such as those applying to Adam was unlawful.

I write as the bereaved mother of a teenager who died in the 'care' of a Young Offender Institution in 2003, and I fully support Adam's mother, Mrs Carol Pounder, in her call for a full public inquiry into how children are treated in the criminal justice system.

In expressing my sincere condolences to the grieving family, I would urge them to seek justice over the death of their loved one, and to hold the State to account.

Pauline Campbell, Malpas, Cheshire