![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/inside-horror-childrens-prison-where-kids-arm-themselves-with-weapons-jail-wardens-are-so-scared-theyve-given-up/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/newspress-collage-23090852-1689676465183.jpg&description=BEHIND BARS Inside horror children's prison where kids arm themselves with weapons & jail wardens are 'so scared they've given up' CHILDREN have been arming themselves with hundreds of homemade weapons at a scandal-hit jail where frightened wardens have "given up", according to a damning report. The "shocking" findings were laid bare by inspectors after the Cookham Wood young offenders' institution was plunged into emergency measures earlier this year. 4 Cookham Wood young offenders' institution has been put into emergency measures Credit: PA:Press Association Cookham Wood holds "some of the most challenging yet vulnerable children in the criminal justice system", watchdogs said. Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor was so concerned by the "appalling" conditions he discovered at the Kent prison in April that he demanded urgent improvements from justice secretary Alex Chalk. The watchdog told how boys were found in solitary confinement for "days on end" during an inspection, including two being held in such conditions for more than 100 days. The use of solitary confinement was to "manage conflict" between inmates in the wake of many children fashioning makeshift weapons from kettles and other metal objects to protect themselves. Inspectors also found the facility in "poor overall condition with dirty living units and broken equipment". Detailed findings of the inspection, published today, set out how violence was "rife" and weapon making was "widespread" at the detention facility in Rochester which holds 77 boys. The report said 228 weapons were found in the six months leading up to the inspection - a much higher number compared to similar establishments. Security checks were also found to be "inadequate", while nearly a quarter of the boys said they felt unsafe. Mr Taylor's team found the conditions at the YOI had deteriorated and were now of "considerable concern". Members of the 360-strong team of staff were described as "demoralised" and "frightened", with s){kind=link}
CHILDREN have been arming themselves with hundreds of homemade weapons at a scandal-hit jail where frightened wardens have “given up”, according to a damning report.
The “shocking” findings were laid bare by inspectors after the Cookham Wood young offenders’ institution was plunged into emergency measures earlier this year.
Cookham Wood holds “some of the most challenging yet vulnerable children in the criminal justice system”, watchdogs said.
Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor was so concerned by the “appalling” conditions he discovered at the Kent prison in April that he demanded urgent improvements from justice secretary Alex Chalk.
The watchdog told how boys were found in solitary confinement for “days on end” during an inspection, including two being held in such conditions for more than 100 days.