HMP Feltham A, a young offenders’ institution located in west London, has been found to have the highest levels of violence of any prison in England and Wales by an inspection report. The prison holds children between the ages of 15 and 18 who are on remand or have already been convicted. The report, issued by HM Inspectorate of Prisons in March, revealed that levels of violence have increased threefold since the last inspection two years ago. The report further found that there has been a significant decline in conditions, with self-harm incidents and violence rising.
The review’s conclusion stated that the rate of violence was now the highest of any prison in the country. The youth detention centre holds roughly 80 children, with over 260 instructions in place to prevent inmates from mixing. Inspectors were concerned that these instructions were negatively impacting access to education, with boys being allocated to classes based on with whom they can interact with without fighting, rather than in classes appropriate to their abilities and interests.
The summer of 2023 saw a dramatic increase in the number of violent incidents recorded, which led to the education block shutting down from 22 August until early September. Segregation was also a cause of concern, with some children being separated from others for over 100 days. Finally, the use of force in response to violence had risen by 68%.
The situation was deemed so dangerous by some children that they no longer wanted their families to visit; the state of affairs was described as “disappointing” in contrast to the high healthy establishment test scores awarded in 2022. The Youth Custody Service, which oversees the facility, had made “immediate” changes following an inspection in 2019.
Charlie Taylor, the HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, acknowledged that he was “very concerned” by the situation at HMP Feltham A, though he also credited the governor and her leadership team with having managed to put a stop to the decline. He also praised the frontline staff for working tirelessly and maintaining positive, supportive relationships with even the most difficult inmates in their care, despite the violence surrounding them
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