Kent juvenile prison improves but still not safe

Cookham Wood Prison has been seriously criticised in a new report, which says it is failing to reach required standards.

The young offenders institute in Rochester, whose most famous former inmate was Myra Hindley before it was converted back to deal with teenage male criminals, was branded seriously unsafe two years ago.

But following a surprise inspection it was still found unable to meet requirements.

A report by prison inspectors concluded the facility is safer but concerns are still present.

According to the latest report the prison staff relied on "formal processes" and they are "anxious about engaging individually with young people". Great amount of inmates "never received any visits" either.

"The establishment is safer than it was when we carried our last inspection, but staff and management need support and stability to build on that to deliver consistent effective relations with young people," said chief inspector of prisons, Nick Hardwick, for BBc online.

In 2009 prison inspectors reported the young offenders institution is "seriously unsafe". Prison officials replied they did not "wholly accept the prison was unsafe" but immediate changes would be made.

Cookham Wood was built in 1978, originally for young men, but its use was changed to meet the growing need for secure female accommodation at the time.

In 2007/8 the prison changed in function to  accommodate 15-17 year-old men to reduce capacity pressure in London and the South East for this particular age group.

As for 31st December 2008 the capacity of Cookham Wood is 157 people, primarily in single cells with some double.

In December 2010 dozen of teenagers threatened the prison staff, followed by an eight-hour stand off between guards and inmates.

Earlier the same year thousands of pounds worth of equipment was damaged after an all-day riot.