News

There is no funding for sex offender treatment programmes at a women’s juvenile unit in Downview prison in Surrey, an inspection report published this week has found.

The prisons inspectorate said the lack of such programmes at the Josephine Butler unit in Sutton was a “significant concern”.

New arrivals were also subjected to “inappropriate” routine strip searching and there was “poor support” for resettlement needs, the inspection from 3 to 7 July found.

A new building in the unit was also found to be “claustrophobic and inadequately ventilated”.

While self-harm had decreased, improvements were needed in anti-bullying and self-harm prevention. The inspector also recommended the introduction of a clinical psychology service to meet the needs of women with complex mental health needs.

The unit, set up in 2004, was the first of three dedicated female juvenile units in England and Wales commissioned and funded by the Youth Justice Board.