This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7054605.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Review of child inmate batons ban Review of child inmate batons ban
(about 5 hours later)
The government is to consider allowing staff at young offenders institutions in England and Wales to use batons to control children as young as 15.The government is to consider allowing staff at young offenders institutions in England and Wales to use batons to control children as young as 15.
Staff are currently allowed to use them only against those aged 18 and over but that policy is to be reviewed.Staff are currently allowed to use them only against those aged 18 and over but that policy is to be reviewed.
The Prison Officers Association says its members need more protection from a rising number of assaults and to help bring situations quickly under control.The Prison Officers Association says its members need more protection from a rising number of assaults and to help bring situations quickly under control.
But critics fear the move could be counter-productive and fuel violence.But critics fear the move could be counter-productive and fuel violence.
The Prison Officers Association told BBC Radio Five Live it believes the problem of violence in prisons is now out of control. Glyn Travis, assistant general secretary of the Prison Officers Association (POA), told BBC Radio Five Live that officers often got hurt.
Control "The injuries vary from broken noses, compressed fractures of cheekbones, fractured eye sockets, ears being bitten off, pens being shoved through people's faces, slashes," Mr Travis said.
It said some members had suffered fractured bones, been slashed with knives and suffered long-term psychological problems after being assaulted by children. Currently we have no deterrent to intervene Colin MosesPrison Officers Association
"There is a serious violent problem within the criminal justice system and we believe it's out of control."
Colin Moses, national chairman of the POA, added: "What we want is the deterrent to defend ourselves and defend those in our charge.
"And currently we have no deterrent to intervene."
The POA said some of his members had suffered long-term psychological problems after being assaulted by children.
In one case, staff had to intervene when a group of teenagers was trying to kick an inmate to death.In one case, staff had to intervene when a group of teenagers was trying to kick an inmate to death.
Control
Recent figures, compiled by the Howard League for Penal Reform, show there were more than 18,000 assaults in young offenders institutions (YOIs) between 2003 and 2006 - 2,500 of which were attacks on staff.Recent figures, compiled by the Howard League for Penal Reform, show there were more than 18,000 assaults in young offenders institutions (YOIs) between 2003 and 2006 - 2,500 of which were attacks on staff.
Frances Crook, director of the league, said a recent parliamentary answer had revealed that nine out of the 10 most violent places of detention in the UK were YOIs, where the majority of those held are aged between 18 and 21.Frances Crook, director of the league, said a recent parliamentary answer had revealed that nine out of the 10 most violent places of detention in the UK were YOIs, where the majority of those held are aged between 18 and 21.
'Hotbeds of violence' There are huge numbers of young men in prison with very serious mental health problems and threatening them with batons is completely inappropriate Frances Crook, Howard League
"The National Offender Management Service estimates that 11% of prisoners involved in serious assaults are children, despite being only 3% of the population," she said."The National Offender Management Service estimates that 11% of prisoners involved in serious assaults are children, despite being only 3% of the population," she said.
"But while not all the assaults recorded directly involve children held in prison, those children are at the very least witness to what goes on in these hotbeds of violence.""But while not all the assaults recorded directly involve children held in prison, those children are at the very least witness to what goes on in these hotbeds of violence."
Ms Crook said batons were "always the wrong answer" and would make YOIs even more violent for staff and inmates.
"There are huge numbers of young men in prison with very serious mental health problems and threatening them with batons is completely inappropriate.
"These are very disturbed young people who harm themselves a lot."
'More activities'
Ms Crook said prisons had created their own problems by keeping young people cooped up indoors without exercise.
"I sympathise with [prison] staff, but they've got to try talking to the children. They've got to increase the activities inside the prisons."
At the start of October, the league says 3,006 children were in custody in England and Wales. Of these, 2,512 were in YOIs.At the start of October, the league says 3,006 children were in custody in England and Wales. Of these, 2,512 were in YOIs.
The league fears any attempt to bring the problems under control with batons could be counter-productive.
The government said it was going to review the ban on baton use to control younger children, although it said there was no timetable for a final decision.The government said it was going to review the ban on baton use to control younger children, although it said there was no timetable for a final decision.
A Prison Service spokesman said: "It has been prison policy for a number of years that the use of batons are not routinely used in the juvenile estates.A Prison Service spokesman said: "It has been prison policy for a number of years that the use of batons are not routinely used in the juvenile estates.
"However, ministers have agreed to a review which is expected to start in the autumn.""However, ministers have agreed to a review which is expected to start in the autumn."