HMYOI Cookham Wood

What we found

Inspectors returning to HMYOI Cookham Wood in April found an establishment in limbo after HMPPS announced the site would be rerolled to hold adult prisoners. This decision was taken because of the population pressures in the adult estate and the failure to make improvements at Cookham Wood. 

The original inspection led the Chief Inspector to write to the Secretary of State issuing an Urgent Notification for improvement after he found widespread weapon making, violence and children held in solitary confinement with very poor access to education. While serious violence had risen and was now higher than any other prison in the country, overall levels of violence had fallen by a third and the number of weapons found had also fallen significantly. While the governor had made some improvements, national leaders in HMPPS were of the view that substantial improvements would not be made in an acceptable timeframe.

At the time of the review, which took place in April 2024, there was little clarity about the future of the site despite closure expected to take place just weeks later at the end of May. Staff had been told nothing about what they would do after this. Inspectors were however impressed by how well staff engaged with the inspection team and their evident care for the children during this period of uncertainty.

Charlie Taylor, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons said:

“Cookham Wood has been allowed to fail for years without concerted action to improve the conditions in which children were being held. What is needed is a coherent plan to improve the provision on offer to these children so they can go on to lead crime-free lives when they are released.”