Within the confines of YOI Wetherby in West Yorkshire, a young offenders’ institution known for housing some of the most challenging children in the country, a disturbing incident took place. An incredibly vulnerable girl was held down and forcibly stripped by male prison guards not just once, but on two separate occasions. This appalling act was revealed by the Chief Inspector of Prisons, Charlie Taylor, who expressed his deep shock and concern over the findings from inspections conducted in November and December of last year.
According to reports, officers at the institution often have to intervene multiple times during the night to prevent girls from harming themselves. The site has been identified as having the highest rate of self-harm of any prison in the country, with three girls accounting for over half of the self-harm incidents in the past year. This alarming trend has led to the increased used of force and assaults on staff, as highlighted in the recent report.
It is extremely concerning that adult male officers were tasked with restraining and strip-searching an already vulnerable girl, without the presence of any female staff. While the officers claimed they were responding to a life-threatening situation, the trauma caused by the presence of multiple men forcibly removing her clothes cannot be overlooked. The lack of female officers, especially given the predictable behavior of the girl in question, is a clear safeguarding failure that should not have occurred.
Over the past year, 24 children at the institution were subjected to strip-searches, with half of these searches occurring while the children were being restrained. The fact that none of the strip-searches had recorded the authority to use restraint is alarming and raises questions about the legality and ethical considerations of such actions. The inappropriate use of techniques that deliberately cause pain to restrain a child further highlights the concerning practices within the institution.
In response to the allegations, a spokeswoman for the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) stated that restraint is only used in rare circumstances when there is no alternative to prevent serious harm. While emphasizing that custody should be the last resort for children who commit crimes, the MoJ highlighted a decrease in the number of girls in youth custody since 2015. Despite this, the critical incidents at YOI Wetherby shed light on the urgent need for better safeguarding measures and improved practices within young offenders’ institutions.
The treatment of vulnerable girls within young offenders’ institutions such as YOI Wetherby is deeply concerning and warrants immediate attention. The incidents of forcible stripping, inadequate safeguarding, and questionable use of restraint illustrate the harrowing experiences faced by some of the most vulnerable individuals in society. It is imperative that swift action is taken to address these issues and ensure the safety and well-being of all children within the criminal justice system.
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