Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have obtained legal advice about whether the use of pain induction techniques in the minimising and managing physical restraint system is compatible with the United Kingdom’s obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child; and, if so, when such advice was received.

The Government is clear that restraint should only ever be used as a last resort where it is absolutely necessary to do so and where no other form of intervention is possible or appropriate. Use of restraint is closely monitored in the youth secure estate.

Legal advice was obtained throughout the development of Minimising and Managing Physical Restraint. The requirements of the Convention on the Rights of the Child together with all other requirements of international, domestic and common law are taken into account by the Government in determining its policy and practice of the use of restraint in the under-18 secure estate.