Rochester YOI fails to provide enough quality activities

An unannounced inspection found that education, work and training was only available for around half of the young adult men in the prison, and some provision was of poor quality.

Inspectors found the YOI to score reasonably well on safety, respect and resettlement, but there was considerable evidence of bullying and violence reduction and suicide prevention procedures were underdeveloped.

Rochester has doubled in size since 2002. Chief inspector Anne Owers said: "It is unacceptable that the provision and quality of purposeful activity had not kept pace with the expansion, and needs, of the population."

Phil Wheatley, director general of the National Offender Management Service, said: "We are looking to maximise the activity available to young people to bring it in line with the needs of the increased population."

He said the institution had appointed a violence reduction co-ordinator to focus on reducing bullying.