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Resignation adds to Reid pressure Resignation adds to Reid pressure
(20 minutes later)
Pressure on Home Secretary John Reid has grown after the head of the Youth Justice Board of England and Wales quit over policy on young offenders.Pressure on Home Secretary John Reid has grown after the head of the Youth Justice Board of England and Wales quit over policy on young offenders.
Rod Morgan said the system was being "swamped" by minor offenders and warned of a looming "crisis" in prison places.Rod Morgan said the system was being "swamped" by minor offenders and warned of a looming "crisis" in prison places.
The Home Office dismissed Mr Morgan's claims and said it "made no apology" for tackling anti-social behaviour. The Home Office dismissed Mr Morgan's claims but the Tories said they showed the government's "lack of credibility".
Mr Reid is already under fire after calling for judges to avoid jailing all but the most serious offenders.Mr Reid is already under fire after calling for judges to avoid jailing all but the most serious offenders.
A judge said he did not jail a man who had downloaded child porn as a result, sparking fierce opposition criticism.A judge said he did not jail a man who had downloaded child porn as a result, sparking fierce opposition criticism.
In an exclusive interview given to BBC Two's Newsnight, Mr Morgan, said youth courts and children's prisons are being overrun with minor offenders who are "cluttering up" the system. In an exclusive interview given to BBC Two's Newsnight, Mr Morgan said youth courts and children's prisons were being overrun with minor offenders who are "cluttering up" the system.
'Swamping''Swamping'
Echoing the crisis with adult prisoner places, the professer told Newsnight: "We're standing on the brink of a prisons crisis. Echoing the row with adult prisoner places, the professer told Newsnight: "We're standing on the brink of a prisons crisis.
The prime minister and home secretary's initiatives are looking less like an agenda for respect and more like an agenda for anarchy David Davis, shadow home secretary Profile: Rod Morgan
"We have tonight lots of people in police cells because there is no space for them in custody and that's true for children and young people also."We have tonight lots of people in police cells because there is no space for them in custody and that's true for children and young people also.
"I regard a 26% increase in the number of children and young people that are being drawn into the system in the past three years as swamping", he said. "I regard a 26% increase in the number of children and young people that are being drawn into the system in the past three years as swamping."
Mr Morgan became Chair of the Youth Justice Board in April 2004.Mr Morgan became Chair of the Youth Justice Board in April 2004.
He was formerly HM Chief Inspector of Probation for England and Wales, a post he took up in August 2001.He was formerly HM Chief Inspector of Probation for England and Wales, a post he took up in August 2001.
'Demonised' 'Anarchy'
Shadow home secretary David Davis said of the resignation: "Apart from reinforcing the existing chaos in the Home Office this is a demonstration of the lack of the government's own credibility.
"It is no good the government chasing headlines without providing the proper resources and capabilities to deliver the task.
"The prime minister and home secretary's initiatives are looking less like an agenda for respect and more like an agenda for anarchy."
The Home Office said Mr Morgan had been given an opportunity to re-apply for his job at the end of his first three year term but had declined.The Home Office said Mr Morgan had been given an opportunity to re-apply for his job at the end of his first three year term but had declined.
A spokeswoman hit back at Mr Morgan's criticisms of the youth justice system.A spokeswoman hit back at Mr Morgan's criticisms of the youth justice system.
"We refute the claim that young people are being demonised and criminalised. Considerable emphasis has been placed on providing activities for young people.""We refute the claim that young people are being demonised and criminalised. Considerable emphasis has been placed on providing activities for young people."
But she added: "We remain unapolagetic about the need to tackle anti-social behaviour by anyone, regardless of their age."But she added: "We remain unapolagetic about the need to tackle anti-social behaviour by anyone, regardless of their age."
Porn casePorn case
Mr Morgan's resignation follows opposition attacks on the home secretary over a child pornography case.Mr Morgan's resignation follows opposition attacks on the home secretary over a child pornography case.
Derek Williams, 46, of Blaenau Ffestiniog, pleaded guilty to 10 charges of making indecent photographs between November 2005 and May last year.Derek Williams, 46, of Blaenau Ffestiniog, pleaded guilty to 10 charges of making indecent photographs between November 2005 and May last year.
The court heard he had downloaded dozens of pornographic images of children on to his computer.The court heard he had downloaded dozens of pornographic images of children on to his computer.
But his six-month term of imprisonment was suspended for two years.But his six-month term of imprisonment was suspended for two years.
In sentencing Judge John Rogers QC said he had to bear in mind "the current sentencing climate".In sentencing Judge John Rogers QC said he had to bear in mind "the current sentencing climate".
This week, Mr Reid and other Cabinet ministers wrote to judges and magistrates asking them to imprison only the most dangerous and persistent criminals.This week, Mr Reid and other Cabinet ministers wrote to judges and magistrates asking them to imprison only the most dangerous and persistent criminals.
Prison shipsPrison ships
And on Thursday Mr Reid announced emergency measures to deal with the prison crisis.And on Thursday Mr Reid announced emergency measures to deal with the prison crisis.
Jails in England and Wales are at bursting point, with about 80,000 inmates.Jails in England and Wales are at bursting point, with about 80,000 inmates.
Mr Reid revealed an RAF camp in the north of England is to be used to house convicts, and he is also in negotiations over the purchase of two prison ships.Mr Reid revealed an RAF camp in the north of England is to be used to house convicts, and he is also in negotiations over the purchase of two prison ships.
Construction has also started on prefabricated units to go into a prison in Merseyside.Construction has also started on prefabricated units to go into a prison in Merseyside.
The Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer, said the letter to judges was not intended to change sentencing principles, but to set out the current context.The Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer, said the letter to judges was not intended to change sentencing principles, but to set out the current context.
HAVE YOUR SAY Overcrowded and full prisons are indicative of a rapidly increasing crime rate Gordon, Southampton Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY Overcrowded and full prisons are indicative of a rapidly increasing crime rate Gordon, Southampton Send us your comments
Lord Falconer said the judges were not being put under pressure to alleviate prison over-crowding.Lord Falconer said the judges were not being put under pressure to alleviate prison over-crowding.
"It is our problem....We are not for one moment saying that it is a problem for judges to solve. We are all doing our bit in the system to help in the current circumstances.""It is our problem....We are not for one moment saying that it is a problem for judges to solve. We are all doing our bit in the system to help in the current circumstances."