Inspectors Note “Slow” Progress at Youth Detention Facility

A youth detention facility has faced criticism due to the “slow” rate of improvements, particularly after a vulnerable female inmate was twice stripped of her clothing under restraint by an all-male group of prison staff. Information regarding these incidents came to light earlier in the year within a highly critical assessment of the conditions at Wetherby Young Offender Institution. A recent report indicates that inspections conducted by HM Inspectorate of Prisons in October and November, aimed at evaluating the facility’s progress, revealed an increase in incidents of violence, disorder, and self-harm, despite the fact that female detainees were no longer accommodated there. Nevertheless, inspectors also noted that a new governor “had taken real action since arriving.” The detainees at Wetherby range in age from 15 to 18 years, with nearly half having spent time in the care system, and some commencing very lengthy or life sentences. During a visit in November 2023, inspectors observed that three girls were being held at the location, including one who had been stripped twice by male officers to prevent self-harm using her clothing. Subsequent visits in October and November of the current year led inspectors to caution that “uncertainty” persists regarding the housing of girls in custody at Wetherby. Their most recent report indicated that the facility could still be utilized for girls as a “potential placement of last resort.” In November, the government declared its intention to conduct an independent review concerning the placement of girls in custody. The new report from inspectors highlighted that “oversight of strip searching had been strengthened, and the much-needed refurbishment of residential units was under way.” However, documentation indicated that children spent excessive periods in their rooms, and “in some instances…did not leave their cell for up to five days at time.” The report stated, “On the weekend it was not uncommon for between a quarter and a third of children to have had less than two hours unlocked.” Although inspectors had previously observed a frequent use of “pain-inducing restraint techniques” on children at Wetherby, they determined that reasonable progress had been achieved in rectifying this issue. Nevertheless, the report also indicated that the quality of English and maths instruction at the facility remained inadequate. Charlie Taylor, the chief inspector of prisons, concluded that advancements at Wetherby Young Offender Institution had been “slow.” However, Mr. Taylor further stated that the new governor and deputy had initiated “real action” since their arrival, leading to changes occurring “at a much quicker pace.” He expressed, “We were optimistic about their ability to drive further improvements at Wetherby.”