Since 1996 the number of 10- to 17-year-old young women sentenced by magistrates has increased from 7,901 to 13,437 in 2006. The number of young women given immediate custodial sentences has also increased, from 129 in 1996 to 363 in 2006. The figures were published in response to a written question in Parliament from Liberal Democrat MP Jenny Willott. Sinead Hanks, from campaign group SmartJustice, said: "The rise in the number of young girls in prison, and the fact that reoffending rates...