a. Concerns about Access Other children spoke of a range of difficulties, most common of which was that the detention settings were far from their homes and that made it difficult for families to travel to see them. ‘My mother came more often when I was at the X penitentiary, it was closer to my house, now she comes more rarely, it’s too far and it’s expensive. It was better before, because my mother brought me things from home, food.’ (M/16-21/1:EEG) The availability of resources also affected children’s contact in other ways. In particular, many children maintained contact with families through their mobile phones. However, these usually had to be paid for by families, with the result that those who could afford it had more contact. Some children reported having to pay to see families when they were in police custody: ‘I had to pay a lot to make a telephone call or to receive a five-minute visit by my parents. Money is often paid to the police officer in charge’. (MF/12-18/1:AFG) A particular concern for some was that younger children were not allowed in the detention setting and that meant that they could not see or maintain contact with their younger siblings. Many children expressed a desire to see their brothers and sisters. ‘I haven’t seen my sister since I entered here in three years. I told them and nobody helps me to find her and get in touch with her’. (M/17/1:EEG). Some children were estranged from their families (because, for example, they had been exploited by them) and others were placed in the institutions by their families. One transgender boy gave this account: ‘My uncle packed my stuff and threw me out. When I got to the NGO I was still traumatised to understand or recall anything’. (M/17/4:AFG). Others reported that contact with their families had broken down once they were placed in the institution and that, in some instances, social workers were working to try and rebuild relationships. In other cases, children expressed frustration that they were not supported to find their families or had not been told that their families did not want contact. ‘I told her that I want her help to find the address of my father because he is not staying at the same place anymore…The social worker recorded what I told her, but months passed and nothing so far’. (M/16/1:EEG). 99