News

More than a quarter of young adults claim they have been victimised by the staff at Stoke Heath young offender institution.

An inspection report by the chief inspector of prisons, published this week, criticises "insufficiently robust" management and implementation of anti-bullying, suicide, self-harm and child protection procedures at the YOI.

It also finds that children were routinely held in special and unfurnished cells for more than six hours at a time, while young adults were held for more than 12 hours. It says the cells were "unfit" for holding difficult and vulnerable young people.

The report raises concerns that children could go for up to six months without physical contact with visiting parents if there was any suspicion they might bring in drugs.

Young prisoners could be subjected to periods of up to three months of closed visits which may be renewed.

This practice is described as "unaceptable" and the report calls for it to end immediately.

The report also finds more than half of young adults aged 18-21 years were locked in their cells at any time and dismisses education provision as "unsatisfactory".

• Report will be available through www.hmprisonservice.gov.uk