CYP Now - Inspectors find rising levels of violence and force in YOI

Rising levels of violence and use of force by staff at a young offender institution (YOI) has led to campaigners renewing calls for an end to the use of custody for children.

The call, by The Howard League for Penal Reform, is in response to Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons' report on Werrington YOI.

Inspectors found the prison near Stoke-on-Trent, which holds about 120 boys aged 15 to 18, had become less safe since its previous inspection last year.

Levels of violence by young people was up compared with 2018, while use of force by staff had also risen.

In his introduction to the report on Werrington YOI, Peter Clarke, chief inspector of prisons, said weaknesses in behaviour management "have led to deterioration of outcomes in some areas".

"Managers need to make a concerted effort to support frontline staff in the challenging task of implementing behaviour management schemes, with the principal aim of reducing the number of violent incidents at Werrington," Clarke added.

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