Campaigners have hit out after an unannounced visit to Cookham Wood YOI in Kent revealed a number of “extremely concerning” issues, including prolonged solitary confinement of children and high numbers of weapons found within the setting.
The Howard League for Penal Reform has called for the setting to be closed following the inspection, with its chief executive Andrea Coomber saying: “This is a damning report that sets out in shocking detail why prison is no place for a child.”
“We have warned for many years that Cookham Wood is unsafe and totally unfit for children. This is the latest in a long line of devastating reports, and probably the worst yet,” she said.
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