Inspectors criticise Hydebank Wood
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Prison inspectors have heaped scathing criticism on Hydebank Wood Young Offender Centre for its treatment of juvenile inmates.
The HM Inspectorate of Prisons report said that a lack of separation from older prisoners leaves juveniles in the Northern Irish jail unsafe. It also found bullying is rife.
The over-use of handcuffs when travelling was also called into question, as was the routine strip-searching of younger inmates. Training and education opportunities for juvenile prisoners were also limited.
A lack of training for staff and "antiquated industrial relations" were factors that need to be addressed urgently.
The report also called for either the removal of all prisoners under the age of 18, or for them to be put in dedicated accommodation on the site.
Northern Ireland's prisons' minister, Paul Goggins, said improvements have taken place, and added that this autumn a "more structured education programme for young inmates" will be introduced.
- www.cypnow.co.uk/doc.
