Inspector calls for urgent review at Castington YOI

A report on Castington YOI in Northumberland found the number of times force was used was comparable to similar establishments.

However over a two-year period, the use of control and restraint on young people had led to seven confirmed fractures and three suspected fractures.

"It is an establishment that is performing reasonably well on most of our measures of a healthy prison," Anne Owers, chief inspector of prisons said.

"However, our judgment on safety was inevitably overshadowed by the worrying number of serious injuries suffered by young people as result of the use of force by staff.

"Managers had thoroughly examined each case but could offer no coherent explanation for the scale and frequency of these incidents."

Owers added it is essential that a comprehensive review is undertaken so lessons can be learned.

Castington holds juveniles aged 15 to 17 and young adults aged 18 to 21 separately on the same site.

The Youth Justice Board was unavailable for comment.