Pepper spray to be introduced at Feltham Young Offenders Institution from this summer
Feltham Young Offender Institution (YOI) will be one of three public sector institutions where synthetic pepper spray is introduced this summer, as part of efforts to combat rising levels of violence against staff.
The move comes after new figures released by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) on Thursday showed rates of assaults on staff were 14 times higher than at adult prisons.
Pava spray, already used by police and guards in adult prisons, will be rolled out 'in limited circumstances' to specialist staff at Feltham A, Werrington and Wetherby – the three public sector YOIs that hold children under 18.
Staff at Feltham will receive 'a really high level' of training and there will be 'a very clear, high threshold' for when the spray can be used, according to a senior youth custody source.
Recent incidents have left officers at YOIs with fractures, dislocations and puncture wounds, the MoJ said.
Inmates have reportedly used cutlery and screws taken from furniture as weapons.
In one case, a female staff member used her body as a human shield to protect a child who was being attacked in a group assault in the courtyard, a senior source said.
MoJ data shows Feltham had 170.0 assaults on staff per 100 children and young people last year. This compares to 182.9 at Werrington and 167.4 at Wetherby.
Across the whole of the children and young persons secure estate – including other establishments such as secure children's homes – the rate of assaults on staff was 183.6 per 100, a slight drop from 187.2 in 2023.
Justice minister Sir Nic Dakin said: 'This government inherited a criminal justice system in crisis. The unacceptable levels of violence faced by our brave frontline officers in young offender institutions is yet another symptom of that.
'This is not a decision we have made lightly, but our overarching duty is to keep staff and young people in custody safe. This spray is a vital tool to prevent serious violence, helping staff to focus on rehabilitation as part of our Plan for Change.'
The rollout will last 12 months and be reviewed by ministers. Each use of the spray will also be assessed by an independent panel.
Youth justice charity the Howard League for Penal Reform has condemned the move.
Andrea Coomber KC, the charity's chief executive, said: 'There is too much violence in prisons holding children, but this is a direct consequence of a failing system that keeps boys as young as 15 locked in their cells for up to 23 hours a day without meaningful access to education or social interaction.
'It reflects a profound failure on the part of those responsible for children in custody that they would consider introducing weapons in the name of safety.
'Instead of arming staff, the way to reduce violence is to close failing young offender institutions and ensure that children are accommodated in more appropriate settings - such as secure children's homes - where they can be given the care and support they need.
'Prison is no place for a child.'
The move was welcomed by the Prison Officers' Association.
Steve Gillan, general secretary of the POA, said: 'Young offenders institutions can be a very challenging environment for our members to work in.
'Prison officers must be given the right PPE to protect themselves and prisoners from violence. This is a step in the right direction.'
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