Crime Solicitors

The Chief Inspector of Prisons Nick Hardwick has raised concerns over the safety of young inmates at Feltham Young Offenders’ Institution (YOI), after it was found that more than 48 separate gangs operate within the prison – with new inmates forced to join gangs as soon as they arrive.

Mr Hardwick says that Feltham houses up to 240 “very troubled” young offenders aged between 15 and 18 – with so much violence taking place inside the prison that youngsters are forced to join a gang for their own protection when they are admitted.

Mr Hardwick said that young offenders at Feltham faced a “you are either with us or against us” mentality, with gangs inside Feltham fuelling violence on a daily basis.

A prison guard at Feltham said that he had dealt with as many as seven violent incidents a day while working at the YOI.

Young offenders are also spending up to 23 hours a day inside their cells – the equivalent of being held in solitary confinement – with vulnerable young prisoners offered little support or counselling, except a brief talk with a priest or imam, said one former inmate of Feltham who spoke to BBC News.

Because of the number of gangs operating inside the prison, staff are constantly “juggling” inmates to prevent outbreaks of violence among rival gangs.

Mr Hardwick – who was also speaking to the BBC – said that Feltham YOI was suffering from violence which as “reckless and unpredictable”. He added that he would be “terrified” if his child were sent to Feltham.

The inspector of prisons also said that staff shortages were causing some of the problems – but gang violence was at the root of a significant number of assaults carried out inside Feltham.

“Gangs are a real problem – if you were a boy at Feltham and you weren’t part a member of a gang when you came in, it would be very difficult to stay like that,” said Mr Hardwick.

However he added that progress had been made in resettlement work for young offenders about to leave Feltham

A former prison guard at Feltham YOI told BBC News, however, that a female colleague at the jail was knocked to the ground on one occasion and had her face “stamped on” by a mob of inmates.

"I was regularly seeing inmates attacked with weapons – pool balls, pool sticks, anything they could get their hands on. It was not uncommon to see someone on the floor getting their head stamped on by a large group.

"To deal with situations safely, we were supposed to have three officers to each person involved. In reality, it was usually more like one on one. I'm very surprised there wasn't loss of life.

"There aren't really any repercussions. The prisoners are in custody already. The only option we have is loss of privileges.

“There would be prisoners on 'basic regime' all the time – which means in confinement for 23 hours a day. But it has very little effect.

"The psychological impact is the worst thing. My biggest fear was coming across self-harm and suicide,” he added.

"I got to the point where I couldn't cope – to say there's not a crisis in our jails would be a lie."

Duncan Lewis Crime Lawyers – Young Offenders

Duncan Lewis Crime Lawyers are available 24/7 to advise at any stage of a criminal charge – including charges relating to violent crime, including gang-related violence and youth offenders.

Duncan Lewis crime lawyers regularly visit prisons, police stations and courts to advise on criminal law – including young offender institutions and youth courts.

For expert legal advice on criminal charges, call Duncan Lewis crime lawyers on 020 7923 4020.

For out-of-hours legal advice on criminal charges and representation during police interview under caution, call the Duncan Lewis Crime Lawyers Out-of-Hours Hotline on 07920 077057.