Prisons Minister Damian Hinds has today (26 May 2023) outlined a package of urgent measures to improve safety and rehabilitation at HMYOI Cookham Wood, including additional staff being deployed and a major crackdown on weapons
Today’s news forms part of the government’s response to His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) report last month, after it identified serious failings at the Young Offender Institution resulting in an Urgent Notification.
As part of the Urgent Notification process Ministers have 28 days to respond to the notice and set out how they will make the rapid change needed.
In just 4 weeks significant improvements are already underway, including:
In response to staffing pressures, HMYOI Cookham Wood is now receiving dedicated support from HMPPS to unlock additional resources and improve the retention and recruitment of staff.
The action plan published today also details how ministers will continue to build upon these improvements and hold the YOI to account over the coming weeks and months.
Prisons Minister Damian Hinds said:
The government introduced the Urgent Notification process in 2017 to ensure immediate, urgent action was taken when necessary to address serious concerns identified by inspectors.