Of children who are taken into custody, teenaged boys are the most at risk of experiencing social exclusion, according to study published by The Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela) on Monday.

Around a quarter of boys who are taken into custody during their teenage years are unemployed or on government pensions as young adults.

Girls who are taken into custody between the ages of 13-17 are also often poorly educated when they reach adulthood.

Women who were taken into custody under the age of 12 have faired the best, according to the study.

Due to the risk of social exclusion, Kela is particularly worried that the numbers of 16-17 year old being taken into custody has increased in recent years.

In 2008, over 16,500 children and youths were situated in care outside the home. The vast majority of these were in custody.

STT