20 May 2014

Unannounced inspection of HMP Durham finds “no strategy” for managing young adults

News and events

HM Inspectorate of Prisons has today published its report of an unannounced inspection of HMP Durham, a prison that holds around 80 young adults within its population of 1,000.

The report was critical of the prisons management of young adults in particular, and stated a concern that “Young adults were disproportionately represented in a number of key areas including violent incidents and use of force. Young adults were more likely than other prisoners to be on the basic level of the incentives and earned privileges scheme. Specific support for young adults was lacking and the prison had no strategy to take this work forward.”

Among its key recommendations was that “There should be a needs assessment of the young adult population, and a clear strategy developed for their overall management”

The inspection team also noted that “Governance of use of force was weak and the frequency with which it was used with young adults was disproportionate to their numbers.” It also found that “Young adults, who comprised 8% of the population, were involved in 17% of incidents of violence, but there was no specific policy to manage young adults or address this disproportionate representation in violent incidents”

Last year, T2A published a report by Rob Allen, A Way Forward, which highlighted examples of good practice in the UK and internationally for the management of young adults in custody in ways that account for their distinct needs and variable maturity.

The management of young adults in custody has long been a concern, with the government consulting last year on plans for reform, before announcing an Independent Review into the deaths of 18-24 year olds in custody to report in early 2015, which is currently calling for evidence.