A recent report reveals nearly 900 weapons were confiscated from young offenders in Yorkshire, raising serious safety concerns.
Wetherby: It’s pretty shocking to hear that almost 900 weapons were taken from kids in a young offender institution in Yorkshire over just a year. A recent report from the prisons watchdog really highlights the issue.
The report shows that kids at HM Young Offender Institution Wetherby were carrying all sorts of makeshift weapons. They said they felt unsafe, which is why they felt the need to have them. It’s a tough situation for these young people.
Catherine Porter, who heads the monitoring board, mentioned that Wetherby has a challenging group of young people. With 893 weapons found, it seems like violence is just part of life for some of them. It’s a bit heartbreaking, really.
But there’s a glimmer of hope. A new governor started in May 2024, and the board is hopeful that things will finally start to improve. The weapons seized included sharpened objects, rocks, and even deodorant cans stuffed in socks. Can you believe that?
Throughout the year, there were also a lot of restraint incidents, with some kids and staff getting hurt. It’s concerning to see that 1,143 restraint incidents were recorded, and 222 assaults on staff happened, with some needing to go to A&E.
Many of these kids are facing serious charges, including murder or manslaughter. On average, about 150 kids are held there at any time. The report also mentioned 10 serious incidents of violence, which is alarming.
Education is another big issue, with over 12,500 hours lost due to canceled classes. After a critical report from Ofsted, the Youth Custody Service had to step in and demand improvements. It’s clear that there’s a lot of work to be done.
Wetherby made headlines last year for some pretty disturbing incidents, including a vulnerable girl being strip-searched by male officers. The fallout from that was intense, with staff facing a lot of online abuse.
The Ministry of Justice has been asked for comments on this situation, but it’s clear that there are serious concerns that need addressing.
