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Young inmates 'fear for safety' Young inmates 'fear for safety'
(about 4 hours later)
Inmates at a young offenders' institution refused to leave their cells - even to eat - through fears for their safety, inspectors have found.Inmates at a young offenders' institution refused to leave their cells - even to eat - through fears for their safety, inspectors have found.
Conditions were "seriously unsafe" at Cookham Wood, in Rochester, Kent, with bullying "rife", a report concluded.Conditions were "seriously unsafe" at Cookham Wood, in Rochester, Kent, with bullying "rife", a report concluded.
Inspectors said too many inmates had been put there before it was ready after conversion from a women's prison.Inspectors said too many inmates had been put there before it was ready after conversion from a women's prison.
Officials at the institution have said "significant improvements" have been made since the inspection took place.Officials at the institution have said "significant improvements" have been made since the inspection took place.
The report showed there was a "tense" relationship between staff and inmates at the facility.The report showed there was a "tense" relationship between staff and inmates at the facility.
'Serious questions''Serious questions'
It prompted Dame Anne Owers, chief inspector of prisons, to say there should be a cap on the number of inmates until the problems were addressed.It prompted Dame Anne Owers, chief inspector of prisons, to say there should be a cap on the number of inmates until the problems were addressed.
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In their report, inspectors noted: "We came across a number of young people on each unit who remained in their cells... because they said they were being bullied or feared being assaulted or getting into a fight."In their report, inspectors noted: "We came across a number of young people on each unit who remained in their cells... because they said they were being bullied or feared being assaulted or getting into a fight."
Inspections also showed there were high levels of force used by staff to stop inmates, aged 15 to 18, from fighting.Inspections also showed there were high levels of force used by staff to stop inmates, aged 15 to 18, from fighting.
There had also been "inaccurate" recordings of injuries caused when inmates were restrained, the report said.There had also been "inaccurate" recordings of injuries caused when inmates were restrained, the report said.
The Prison Reform Trust said the report raised serious questions for government ministers.The Prison Reform Trust said the report raised serious questions for government ministers.
"[They need to answer] why we persist in locking up our most vulnerable and volatile teenagers in unsafe environments that are almost bound to make them worse," said Juliet Lyon, director of the trust."[They need to answer] why we persist in locking up our most vulnerable and volatile teenagers in unsafe environments that are almost bound to make them worse," said Juliet Lyon, director of the trust.
'Better safety''Better safety'
Phil Wheatley, director general of the National Offender Management Service, accepted there would be difficulties in converting the institution.Phil Wheatley, director general of the National Offender Management Service, accepted there would be difficulties in converting the institution.
"Although I agree that the physical layout is not perfect for purpose, this needs to be balanced against our determination to ensure young offenders, largely from Greater London, are held closer to home than was previously possible, with all the advantages this brings for reducing re-offending and protecting the public through closer family and community ties," he said."Although I agree that the physical layout is not perfect for purpose, this needs to be balanced against our determination to ensure young offenders, largely from Greater London, are held closer to home than was previously possible, with all the advantages this brings for reducing re-offending and protecting the public through closer family and community ties," he said.
He said Cookham Wood was the "only realistic establishment" to achieve this.He said Cookham Wood was the "only realistic establishment" to achieve this.
"Since the inspection, significant improvements have been made and better safety and control have been established," he said."Since the inspection, significant improvements have been made and better safety and control have been established," he said.