‘Child criminals are being held in “harmful” solitary confinement with some let out of their cells for just 15 minutes a day, according to a report.
A “major overhaul” of the policy of separating children in young offender institutions (HMYOIs) has been called for following the investigation by the Chief Inspector of Prisons.
Peter Clarke said the policy effectively amounts to them being held in “harmful solitary confinement with little human contact and in conditions which risk damaging their mental health”.
He called for an “entirely new approach” after his report found “fundamental flaws” in the use of separation at the five establishments in England and Wales, which hold around 600 offenders aged 15 to 18.
Around one in 10 young offenders spoken to by inspectors had been separated during their time in custody and “in the worst cases children left their cells for just 15 minutes a day”, according to the findings.
Other report findings include:
- Eight children who had spent a combined total of 373 days in separation and were waiting to be taken to a secure hospital for treatment for mental health conditions
- In the worst cases “children left their cells for just 15 minutes a day”
- Children who had self-harmed left “isolated in unfurnished accommodation” and who had been restrained, contrary to rules
- More than half (58%) of the children inspectors spoke to said they were locked up as a punishment even though prison rules forbid this
- One child in crisis was “left to lie on a mattress on the floor of a filthy cell for more than 22 hours a day with no meaningful contact”
- Managers asked bosses for authorisation to hold children in separation for more than 21 days on 346 occasions between May 2018 and April 2019.
The report, based on an inspection in May and June, found “multiple and widespread failings” although it said there were some areas of better practice, such as in HMYOI Parc.’
Read more: Child prisoners let out of solitary confinement for just ’15 minutes a day’ – report
