Should a 14yr old boy with a mental age of 8yrs be locked up in a cell

Question

He had a responsible adult with him who was able to supervise him, the arrest was not even nesscecary. Is this contrary to P. A.C.E Act 1984 and a breach of his civil liberties. The complainant was not interviewed till after he was released on bail.

Answer 1

Of course not- no matter what the crime. An 8 year old is not capable of judging his actions in the same way as an adult. Mental age is more important than physical age in these matters.

If this child is a danger to others, or himself, he should be in a home with professional carers around 24/7. The difference is that cells are there to punish and care homes are not. He could possibly be trained/taught to act in a non dangerous way but I suspect that he will need care for the rest of his life.

I have no idea if this is what the law says but it's what it SHOULD say.

Answer 2

Depends on why they locked him up

Answer 3

What was his crime? He may be so dangerous that some sort of prevention is necessary to protect the poublic.

Answer 4

For his protectin and the publics yes!

Answer 5

sounds right to me.

Don't do the crime if you can't do the time

Answer 6

Well, i really don't think he should've been put in some cage, and if he was under good supervision, i agree it was an unessesary act.  

Answer 7

He might be a threat to himself or others.

Answer 8

depends  

Answer 9

This Young man was mentally handicapped and should have been in a safe environment or with a carer . If he was Not, then someone has failed him.Was he in a special Needs school ? If his disability was obvious he certainly should not have been locked up in a cell .He may have been Autistic & could have reacted by hurting himself when locked up.. Somehow I feel the whole story of how he came to be locked up is sadly missing .

Answer 10

if he is under arrest then the police are entitled to place him in a cell at any time

Answer 11

Who says it was not necessary? You? where you the supervising adult ? there is more to this  

Answer 12

It would depend what the offence was. The Police wouldn't put him in a cell for nothing. There is more to this than what you are telling us.

Answer 13

Probably not. Speak to a lawyer about a complaint and claim compensation. More detailed are required  

Answer 14

you fail to mention what this kid was charge with so it all depend if he is a threat to himself and society  

Answer 15

Without enough details its hard to say.

However it does not matter what his "mental age" is.  If he was able to commit a crime he needs to be punished like everyone else.   Its just a pathetic excuse to get people off lighter these days