Critics of today’s decision by Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, including The Alliance for Youth Justice, the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) and The Children’s Commissioner for England, argue that PAVAs use will further aggravate tensions in settings, harm children and is at odds with the ‘Child First’ approach.
The Howard League for Penal Reform also pledged to take legal action over the decision.
Concerns have also been raised over the disproportionate impact on young people with disabilities or those from ethnic minority backgrounds.
Lord Chancellor Mahmood cited the need to protect staff from record levels of serious violence, with HM Inspectorate of Prisons in 2024 describing HMP & YOI Feltham A as the “most violent prison in the country”.
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