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Young prisoners' bones were broken as they were forcibly strip-searched by staff at Hindley Young Offender Institution, the chief inspector of prisons has said.

Anne Owers' report for 2003-4 raises concerns that methods of force resulted in bone fractures three times at the prison.

The report also points to problems with the use of force in secure training centres after the death of 15-year-old Gareth Myatt, who died in Rainsbrook after being restrained by three members of staff last year.

The report says prison service rules and standards on the use of force and strip-searching "had not yet been adapted" to child protection needs.

It recommends "much tighter control" on the use of special cells, where young people can be held in strip conditions, and says they should not be held for more than 30 minutes at a time.

Last year, Owers pledged to monitor the use of special cells, and Community Care's Back on Track campaign called for an end to routine strip searching and wrongful use of control and restraint.

The report also identifies cases where young people with mental health needs are being held inappropriately in prison, and calls for local authorities to investigate.

• Report available from www.homeoffice.gov.uk.