Inspections ensure our statutory services meet basic standards of quality and safety ensuring the best possible support for those that require the use of those services. All inspections operate under an inspection framework to ensure a consistent approach.
Inspection of HMYOI Wetherby
Wetherby is the largest young offender institution (YOI) in the country, holding children aged between 15 and 18 and includes provision for children convicted and on remand; serving as a national resource for the most vulnerable children in prison; providing the highest levels of security due to some children’s risks; and remaining an option for girls in custody.
Following an unannounced inspection of HMYOI Wetherby by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons between November and 7 December 2023, where concerns were raised, a review visit was completed between 22 October and 6th November 2024, with the report published in December 2024.
In terms of safeguarding, the initial inspection recorded practice as “good”, where the expected outcome is: The establishment promotes the welfare of children, particularly those most at risk, and protects them from all kinds of harm and neglect. This subsequent visit concentrated on the areas of concerns where actions were required.
Although overall progress at the prison was noted to have been slow, there is now a new governor and deputy in place “who had taken real action since arriving, and as a result, change was taking place at a much quicker pace”. It is important to recognise that the inspectors recorded that they are optimistic about their ability to drive further improvements at Wetherby.
To ensure a clear line of sight and assurance, progress with the action plan has been presented by the governor to the LSCP Executive in July 2024 and November 2024. The LSCP Secure settings sub-group oversees progress with the plan and reports any concerns to the Executive as required.