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Ashfield teenage prisoners to begin legal battle Ashfield teenage prisoners begin legal battle
(about 11 hours later)
Seven young offenders who claim they were punished unlawfully at a privately-run Bristol prison will begin a legal battle later. Seven young offenders who claim they were punished unlawfully at a privately-run Bristol prison are having their case heard at the High Court.
Their lawyers claim Ashfield young offenders institution operated an unlawful punishment regime and are seeking a judicial review. Lawyers have asked a judge to rule on "serious concerns" about the treatment of detainees at Ashfield young offenders institution (YOI).
The 18-year-olds involved were punished following a sit-in protest. The 18-year-old inmates involved were punished following a sit-in protest.
Serco, which runs the prison, is defending the legal action but has declined to comment.Serco, which runs the prison, is defending the legal action but has declined to comment.
'Serious concerns''Serious concerns'
The prisoners took part in a sit-in protest on a sports pitch which resulted in equipment being damaged. The protest on a sports pitch resulted in equipment being damaged.
Lawyers from the Howard League for Penal Reform say it was unlawful for the boys to be punished "by awarding them additional days; subjecting them to an informal version of segregation without any safeguards; and removing privileges and rights such as restriction to education and the gym". Lawyers from the Howard League for Penal Reform said it was unlawful for the teenagers to be punished "by awarding them additional days; subjecting them to an informal version of segregation without any safeguards; and removing privileges and rights such as restriction to education and the gym".
The charity said the claim "raises serious concerns both regarding the treatment of these seven young people, and more general concerns in relation to all those currently held there, and who may be held there in future". Charity officials asked Mrs Justice Nicola Davies to end an informal segregation regime - known as "restriction on the wing" - at the YOI.
In written arguments, Phillippa Kaufmann QC told the judge: "This judicial review claim raises issues of fundamental importance concerning how children are disciplined at [Ashfield].
"The claim raises serious concerns both regarding the treatment of these seven young people, and many more general concerns in relation to all those currently held there, and who may be held there in the future."
She said the "informal segregation or cellular confinement" operated without stringent safeguards and was of "particular concern".
Ministers and bosses at Ashfield are disputing the claims at the hearing, which is expected to end later this week.
Earlier this year, inspectors criticised Ashfield's procedures for locking prisoners up until they calmed down, saying monitoring and governance of the measures were "inadequate".Earlier this year, inspectors criticised Ashfield's procedures for locking prisoners up until they calmed down, saying monitoring and governance of the measures were "inadequate".
A hearing at the Administrative Court in London is due to begin later.