When sentencing children, there is no bright line distinction between 'evil' children and others that determines whether imprisonment is appropriate; the court must exercise a sound discretionary judgment giving usually great weight to youthful immaturity, rehabilitation prospects, and keeping young offenders out of adult prison. A non-parole period that is common or standard in proportion to the head sentence may be manifestly excessive where the offender's prospects of rehabilitation are outstanding and there is a need to facilitate early release from the adult prison system. All purposes of sentencing in s 5(1) of the Sentencing Act 1991 may be pursued by a youth training centre order; deprivation of liberty in such a centre is a punishment, not merely an incident of rehabilitation.
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