‘Milestone’ as last 16-year-old freed from adult jail

The last 16-year-old boy in an adult jail has been released in what was seen as a “milestone” for the country.

It brings an end to a practice, repeatedly condemned by domestic and international prison watchdogs, of incarcerating 16-year-olds with adults in prisons.

Penal reformers have joined government ministers and prison bosses in hailing the development which is the first stage of separating child offenders from adults.