Violence is a ‘way of life’ for some young people detained in a Yorkshire young offender institution, according to a report.
Almost 900 makeshift weapons were seized in the 12 months up to August 2024 from inmates at Wetherby Young Offender Institution which holds inmates from aged 15 to 18, around 38 charged or remanded for murder or manslaughter, according to a report from the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB).
The Board found that violence continues to be a problem at Wetherby, with young people carrying improvised weapons. Improved searches and vigilant staff were having some success in detecting weapons. The Board found a high level of self-harm incidents, mostly attributed to the girls placed at Wetherby.
Last year the Wetherby YOI hit the headlines when it was revealed that a girl was pinned down and forcibly strip searched by a group of male guards.
Commenting on the latest report, published on Friday, Catherine Porter, chairman of the IMB Board at Wetherby, said: “Wetherby continues to hold a small but challenging cohort of young people. With 893 weapons found during the reporting year, violence for some appears to be a way of life. This can be seen in the establishment on a daily basis with many making and carrying weapons for their own protection.
A prepared first night cell on the induction spur of Wetherby Young Offenders Institution
(Image: HM Inspectorate of Prisons)
“However, a new Governor was appointed in May 2024 and the Board is optimistic that the long overdue improvements can at last be implemented.”
The number of injuries sustained by young people and staff during ‘restraints’ was a concern for the Board. A previous report highlighted concerns about the search and restraint process of women inmates, which prompted ‘intense media coverage’, the Board report noted. The media coverage had affected officer morale.
“Subsequently, It became apparent to the IMB that many officers seemed to have lost confidence in their ability to use restraint effectively. This, along with the combination of new and inexperienced officers, has perhaps been a contributing fact in the increased number of injuries.”
Morale of staff was found to be better than in 2023. “The Board continues to observe excellent relationships between many staff and young people, which is to be commended. Many, if not most, of the young people at Wetherby present with highly complex needs and their behaviour at times is extremely challenging.”
The Board noted that damage caused by inmates had put an education centre out of action. “Unfortunately, as a consequence of the damage caused by young people during a serious incident, Jellicoe, part of the recently refurbished education college, remained out of action, which also restricted the use of the library for some months.”
The Board addressed part of the report to the Government Minister, writing: “The ever-increasing number of young people who are serving very long sentences presents an irrefutable challenge. They enter custody as teenagers and may be in their forties when released. How does the Minister plan to support this specific category of offender through their custodial journey?”
(Image: PA Archive/PA Images)
On the issue of violence, the Board’s report said: “A high percentage of the young people are in custody due to a violent offence and, for many, violence is a way of life. At the end of the reporting year, 38 had been charged or remanded for murder/manslaughter. The cost to the country in both human and financial terms is unacceptable. In the Board’s view, any external progress that has been made to reduce this number seems to have had minimal effect.”
It added: “Staff appear to continue to work to resolve the issues around the increased levels of violence within the establishment. One of the significant factors in the apparent increase in violence is that used by the young females when staff are trying to prevent them from self-harming.”
A small number of young inmates arrive with ‘entrenched, community-based disputes’ which continue while inside.
The carrying of weapons has been highlighted in the Board’s report.
“Young people tell the IMB that they carry weapons for self-protection rather than to be a perpetrator. For some, this maybe the case but, undoubtedly, others have every intention of using them against not only their peers but staff, too. It was previously rare that a young person openly admitted to feeling unsafe. We do find that this is now mentioned more frequently to Board members…”
A total of 893 improved weapons were found in the 12 months to August 2024.
The report noted that staff sickness had been at a very high level, with as many as 50 staff a day absent. This has since seen a dramatic reduction. A total of 66 staff reported attending A&E from Wetherby as a result of an assault.
“The Board has heard from more officers, who tell us they are experiencing mental health problems, some of which are severe. They do not always feel well supported by the establishment..”
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