Wetherby inspection report 2022

Summary

Wetherby is the largest young offender institution (YOI) in the country. It held 143 children – including three girls in the Napier unit – at the time of our inspection, much reduced from its capacity of 266. Our healthy prison test scores show that ground has been lost in the last two years, in part, no doubt, due to the pandemic. In the Keppel unit, housed within the YOI and designated as a therapeutic provision, inspectors saw a disappointing fall in standards. At the time of the inspection it felt more like another wing of the main prison rather than provision for a vulnerable group of children with a range of complex needs. The unit needed some real grip from the leadership, with the aims re-established and suitable staff selected and trained to recover its distinct purpose.

Inspection ratings