Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Rajeev Syal, Helen Pidd and Diane Taylor

Pepper spray could be used at young offender institutions in England and Wales

Illustration showing a silhouetted group of men in a grid
The prison officers’ union has called for Pava pepper spray to be introduced in YOIs to restore confidence among staff. Composite: Guardian Design/PA

Prison officers in England and Wales could be allowed to use pepper spray to incapacitate children under plans to curb a sharp increase in violence at young offender institutions, the Guardian has learned.

Dogs and stun grenades are used in some YOIs to defuse conflict among 15- to 18-year-olds, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has said.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.