HMYOI Feltham A

What we found

Although levels of violence were still the highest of any prison in the country, they had begun to decline over the past few months, as had the use of ‘keep-apart’ lists that prevented children from mixing, allowing for a better regime.

Attendance at education was still very poor and sessions were often cancelled at short notice, a frustration for both staff and children. Time out of cell varied greatly across wings. On average children spent four hours a day unlocked, but a small number got less than an hour.

Points to note: Alpine, the enhanced support unit, had reopened with a renewed sense of purpose and children received strong multi-agency support. However, behaviour management remained a significant weakness in the YOI, and self-harm and use of force were too high.