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| Feltham Young Offender Institution 'unacceptably violent' | Feltham Young Offender Institution 'unacceptably violent' |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| A young offenders institution has been labelled "unacceptably violent" by inspectors who found "unprecedentedly high" use of batons by staff. | A young offenders institution has been labelled "unacceptably violent" by inspectors who found "unprecedentedly high" use of batons by staff. |
| Feltham Prison and Young Offender Institution, in west London, witnessed on average almost two fights or assaults every day, a report said. | |
| Some of the fights were "very serious", HM Inspectorate of Prisons found. | Some of the fights were "very serious", HM Inspectorate of Prisons found. |
| The National Offender Management Service said the report highlights "the remarkable work staff do". | The National Offender Management Service said the report highlights "the remarkable work staff do". |
| Andrew Neilson, director of campaigns at the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: "This is the worst inspection report of its kind we have seen in a decade. | Andrew Neilson, director of campaigns at the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: "This is the worst inspection report of its kind we have seen in a decade. |
| "If you want to see the effects of keeping hundreds of troubled boys cooped up in a prison, you need look no further than Feltham." | "If you want to see the effects of keeping hundreds of troubled boys cooped up in a prison, you need look no further than Feltham." |
| Self-harming | Self-harming |
| Feltham is divided into two parts - Feltham A holds children and young people, mostly aged 16 or 17, while Feltham B holds young adult men aged 18 to 21. | Feltham is divided into two parts - Feltham A holds children and young people, mostly aged 16 or 17, while Feltham B holds young adult men aged 18 to 21. |
| Chief inspector of prisons Nick Hardwick said: "Feltham as a whole is an unacceptably violent place. | Chief inspector of prisons Nick Hardwick said: "Feltham as a whole is an unacceptably violent place. |
| "Despite excellent work in some cases, staff were unable to prevent a high number of very concerning incidents that carried a significant risk of serious injury. | "Despite excellent work in some cases, staff were unable to prevent a high number of very concerning incidents that carried a significant risk of serious injury. |
| "Staff were sometimes overwhelmed by the challenges they faced," he added. | "Staff were sometimes overwhelmed by the challenges they faced," he added. |
| "As a consequence, some of their response, such as the prolonged use of isolation on the children and young people's side and the use of batons on the young adult side, were unacceptable." | "As a consequence, some of their response, such as the prolonged use of isolation on the children and young people's side and the use of batons on the young adult side, were unacceptable." |
| Many young people told inspectors they were frightened and had little confidence in staff to keep them safe. | Many young people told inspectors they were frightened and had little confidence in staff to keep them safe. |
| Self-harming behaviour remained high among young adults and emergency cell bells were not answered quickly, the report said. | Self-harming behaviour remained high among young adults and emergency cell bells were not answered quickly, the report said. |
| National Offender Management Service (Noms) chief Michael Spurr said: "This report reflects the serious concerns I have about the propensity for and the level of gang-related violence among young people sent to Feltham. | National Offender Management Service (Noms) chief Michael Spurr said: "This report reflects the serious concerns I have about the propensity for and the level of gang-related violence among young people sent to Feltham. |
| "It also highlights the remarkable work that staff do on a daily basis to manage such a challenging group." | "It also highlights the remarkable work that staff do on a daily basis to manage such a challenging group." |
| Prison Reform Trust Juliet Lyon director said: "Feltham should frighten us all. | Prison Reform Trust Juliet Lyon director said: "Feltham should frighten us all. |
| "Why do we place our most vulnerable and volatile young people in our most troubled institutions, and expect anything other than the violence, self-harm and mayhem this report reveals?" | "Why do we place our most vulnerable and volatile young people in our most troubled institutions, and expect anything other than the violence, self-harm and mayhem this report reveals?" |