by Keyan Milanian

Bullied young offenders have been found hiding in their cells at Cookham Wood, Rochester according to a report by the chief prisons inspector.
In a report published today (Wednesday), Dame Anne Owers, Her Majesty's chief inspector of prisons said the youth offender institute's residential units were "not suitable to care for adolescent boys" and "young people complained that they did not have enough food".
It also said only 60 per cent of staff had been trained in suicide and self-harm prevention.

In May 2008 Cookham Wood was converted from a womens' prison to one for boys aged between 15 and 18.
After the February inspection, Dame Owers wrote: "Bullying was a serious problem and it was not being effectively tackled.

"Internal investigations recommended by the local authority following child protection referrals were not always carried out.

"Suicide and self-harm procedures were weak as was management oversight of safeguarding.

"Adjudications were overused and the use of force and use of the separation and care unit were high."

Phil Wheatley, director general of the national offender management service, said improvements were being made and the prison was still in a transition stage from holding women to young men.
He said: "This inspection took place well under a year after Cookham Wood received its first young male prisoners.
"As the Chief Inspector makes clear, the re-role of an establishment to hold a vulnerable population of young people is a difficult process.
"Since the inspection, significant improvements have been made and better safety and control have been established."

Full report in Friday's Medway Messenger.