Medway: Youth prison “allowed to fail” says inspector
Cookham Wood said to be "plagued by issues"
A youth detention centre in Rochester was allowed to fail for years, according to a new report.
Cookham Wood is set to close and reopen as an adult prison after being "plagued with problems" with weapons and safety.
A prison inspector says on average, children were only being allowed out of their cells for three hours a day.
The inspector was also critical of the way the Ministry of Defence had handled the facility in the past, as well as the management of its transition to an adult prison.
The new report found there had been some progress, with a more cohesive management team, cleaner living areas and communal areas, and graffiti was no longer such a significant issue.
It also said the situation around the extent of isolation had improved but was still too high.
Recently, the facility has also seen increasing staff resignations because they say they didn’t feel supported by senior leaders.
"Allowed to fail for years"
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.”
The inspection took place three weeks after the announcement of the change and the inspector found staff had been told nothing about what they would do after the facility would close.
At the time of the inspection, investments into refurbishing residential units and installing new classrooms was in progress or had been completed very recently and new staff, including teachers and dozens of youth justice workers, had just started or were in training.
Inspectors said they were impressed by how well staff engaged with the inspection team and their evident care for the children during this period of uncertainty.
A Youth Custody spokesperson said: “This inspection took place following our decisive action to move children from Cookham Wood, but it is testament to the work of staff that the report notes progress in education as well as their care in supporting children and young people to move to new accommodation.
“This will provide the help they need to turn their backs on crime for good.”
HMYOI Cookham Wood is due to cease operation at the end of May and will be refitted into an adult prison for use from the summer.