PRISON officers at youth jails have been told not to take TVs away from disruptive teens including murderers and rapists.
A “decency” drive has even seen them have to return sets confiscated for bad behaviour.
The TimesPrison officers at youth jails have been told NOT to take TVs away from disruptive teens including murderers and rapists[/caption]
Staff say they are stunned by the order, which comes amid soaring levels of violence.
An email from a governor at Feltham, West London — found by a watchdog to be Britain’s most violent prison — insists: “If a TV is to be considered for removal, a case will need to be raised to the Deputy Governor.
“Leaving boys without a TV is one of the sources of frustration that leads to instability — so will help to drive to safety through decency.
A source said: “One of the only ways left to punish prisoners is to take their TVs away.
“Now we have been told we can’t take them away even if they assault us. Predictably, since the boys have found out, this the place has gone wild.”
The move will also apply to institutions at Werrington, Staffs, Wetherby, West Yorks, and Bridgend, South Wales.
Last summer PAVA pepper spray was approved “as a last resort” for use in young offender institutions – where the rate of assaults on staff is 14 times higher than adult prisons.
A Ministry of Justice source said: “Staff cannot remove TVs, but they are encouraged to look at other options.”
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