A PRISON for young offenders at Dunchurch has turned around its performance.
Rainsbrook Secure Training Centre for Young Offenders was slammed in a report earlier this year but praised in the recent follow-up inspection.
The G4S run centre was under investigation by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman for its “inadequate” conditions.
In May, there were reports of inmates being subjected to degrading treatment and racism by staff who were under the influence of drugs. The scandal saw six staff members dismissed,
A member of the influential Howard League for Penal Reform charity even declared “no child is safe” in the centre.
But six months on and things are looking a lot better. A report from Ofsted, the government education monitor, saw 95 per cent of inmates report staff treated them with respect.
And many young offenders, aged to 12 to 18, are now also working towards gaining jobs skills for when they leave the centre.
Managing director for G4S children’s services, Paul Cook, said: “Six months ago the safety and care of young people at Rainsbrook was rated as inadequate and I am encouraged inspectors reported that the team has responded effectively to the findings of the last inspection and the centre has improved.
“We set out to return the centre to the high standards we delivered over our previous 16 years and it is heartening that inspectors report many examples of staff putting themselves at risk to prevent harm to young people.
“In the period since inspectors last came to Rainsbrook, more than 1,250 qualifications have been awarded to young people at the centre.
In September, the Youth Justice Board announced Rainsbrook would transfer to new operator MTCNovo next May after 16 years of being run by G4S.
Mr Cook added: “Although we will leave the centre, our commitment to the young people in our care, our colleagues and the Youth Justice Board is undiminished. We continue to play our part in developing the centre and innovating to deliver the best possible results for young people, their families and our professional and committed team.”
