AYJ Comment: Scandal at HMYOI Cookham Wood

An Urgent Notification has been issued to the Justice Secretary demanding immediate action to improve shocking conditions at Cookham Wood Young Offender Institution (YOI).

HM Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor invoked the Urgent Notification process following an inspection in April 2023 which led him to conclude: “Such treatment of children is appalling. This is a scandal and it cannot be allowed to continue.”

The inspection found over a quarter of children were being held in solitary confinement for extended periods. Most were locked in their cells for 23.5 hours a day with no meaningful human interaction, education or other intervention. Two boys in need of protection had been subjected to this for over 100 days. The Urgent Notification highlights a complete breakdown of behaviour management, with 90% of children subject to ‘keep aparts’. Children told inspectors they felt unsafe, and were increasingly resorting to carrying weapons. Education, skills and work provision were inadequate in all areas, and 'exhausted' prison staff had 'given up hope'.

Commenting on the report, AYJ Interim Chief Executive Saqib Deshmukh said:

“While the conditions at Cookham Wood YOI are shocking, they are unsurprising considering the steady decline in outcomes in recent years. Our research on the impact of COVID-19 warned of crises in custody, and it is deeply upsetting to see these unfolding while the musical chairs of Justice Secretaries continues.

This is the fifth Urgent Notification for the children’s secure estate issued in just four years. Without a clear strategy for children in custody, it is only a matter of time before the next one. The Chief Inspector is right to call out a scandal when he sees one – but what tragedy will it take for the government to wake up and listen?”