Some restraint techniques used in youth justice system ‘could kill children’

An internal Ministry of Justice (MoJ) assessment of restraint used against children and teenagers in young offenders institutions and secure training centres found that some techniques could kill or leave them disabled, it has been reported.

The risk assessment, seen by the Guardian, showed that certain restraint techniques for use against disobedient youngsters carry a 40% or 60% chance of causing injuries involving their breathing, airway or circulation.

The consequences of such injuries could be “catastrophic”, which is defined as “death or permanent severe disability affecting everyday life”.

In 28 of the 66 restraint scenarios assessed for the Government by an independent medical adviser, there was at least a 40% chance of causing that level of harm, according to the newspaper.

The risk assessment formed part of a broader manual on a system known as minimising and managing physical restraint (MMPR).

MMPR was created as a new way to manage behaviour following the death of Gareth Myatt, 15, who became unconscious during a restraint in a secure training centre.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “Restraint should only be used as a last resort, where there is a risk of harm, and where it is absolutely necessary to do so and no other form of intervention is possible or appropriate.

“Every incident of restraint is reviewed by the establishment. This includes looking at whether any lessons can be learned for the future.

“We have introduced a new system designed to minimise the use of physical restraint in youth custody and we are committed to improving practice further.”

A spokesman for the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales, which oversees young offenders institutions and secure training centres, said: “The safety and welfare of the young people in the youth justice system is of paramount importance to the YJB.

“MMPR was devised by a team of experts who extensively researched and carefully considered the best ways to keep children in custody, and the staff looking after them, safe.

“Restraint should only ever be used as a last resort with staff using their relationships with the children in their care to manage their behaviour.

“Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons’ thematic on MMPR published last year concluded that MMPR was a good system but it needed more time to be embedded.”

Carolyne Willow, the director of children’s rights charity Article 39, who obtained the document under freedom of information laws, told the Guardian: “What kind of society trains adults to use restraint techniques that could cause children to die or be severely disabled?

“Techniques assessed as potentially causing catastrophic harm to children, with a likelihood of more than never, should be immediately struck out of the manual.

“Children have reported feeling terror, panic, desperation, shame, humiliation and anger during restraint.

“These testimonies from children, together with the appalling restraint-related deaths… should remain uppermost in our minds. We need a completely fresh start with policy and practice led by experts in looking after children.”

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