Youth Justice Board forced to make restraint manual public

The ruling follows a Freedom of Information request to the YJB for details from the Physical Control in Care Prison Service manual.

The YJB refused to release some details, claiming that disclosing the material would likely prejudice security and put the health and safety of young people and staff within secure training centres at risk.

However, the Information Commissioner’s Office ruled that it is in the public interest to disclose details about the methods used, which can include distraction techniques – deliberately inflicting pain on children.

Assistant information commissioner Gerrard Tracey ruled that there is a significant public interest in releasing the manual in full based on the level of public debate and controversy surrounding the use of physical restraint.

He added that disclosure of the information may lead to the techniques being subjected to public scrutiny that could result in changes that improve young people’s health and safety.

The YJB has been given 35 calendar days from the date of the decision notice, unless an appeal is served.

Link to full decision notice