Werrington Young Offenders Institution in Staffordshire has some of
the best relationships between staff and young people in the
juvenile estate, according to a recent prisons inspectorate
report.
However, the report says there are gaps in provision which can only
be put right by the Youth Justice Board or the Prison Service.
These gaps have also been referred to by the reports of other
juvenile establishments.
"There needs to be specialised training for staff working with
juveniles; there should be an independent advocacy service to
present young people's complaints; and adjudication processes are
not appropriate for adolescents, particularly as they are likely to
have limited communication skills," said chief inspector of prisons
Anne Owers.
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These would all be required if children in custody were subject to
the safeguards of the Children Act 1989, she added.
The report also acknowledged that there were pressures on the YOI
as a result of a rising population and movement in the juvenile
estate.
