The Prisons Inspectorate report, published today, describes levels of violence at Ashfield YOI near Bristol as “unacceptable”, following an inspection in February.
Ashfield is run by private firm Serco. It is due to be recategorised as an adult prison next month as part of the decommissioning of YOIs due to falling custody levels.
Inspectors found that despite a reduction in the number of young people held at the establishment, there had been a sharp increase in self-harm incidents since the closure announcement in January. During that time, staff also reported an increase in the overall number of violent incidents.
But inspectors found use of force by staff was also high during 2012 and two young people had suffered broken bones as a result of staff force.
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