'Disturbing' extent of self-harm and violence experienced by children in custody revealed

The extent of self-harm and violence at Young Offender Institutions (YOIs) in Wales has been revealed following a Freedom of Information request.

The findings were obtained from the Youth Justice Board via the Freedom of Information Act, as part of the Cardiff University's Wales Governance Centre's Justice and Jurisdiction project.

They provide an insight into the experiences of children in young people units catering primarily for those aged 15-17.

HMYOI Parc in Bridgend recorded the highest rate of self-harm incidents out of five comparable institutions in England and Wales.

The average population of at HMYOI Parc's children's unit is 40.

HMYOI Parc's children's unit also had the highest rate of assaults where the victim was a young person, recording 113 incidents over the course of 2017. This number is equivalent to nearly three incidents for each inmate.