Feltham: Inspection report uncovers awful conditions in prison where staff are being given PAVA spray to use against children 

The Howard League for Penal Reform has responded to HM Inspectorate of Prisons’ report on Feltham prison, published today (Tuesday 26 August). The report considers the ‘A’ part of the prison, which holds boys as young as 15.

Inspectors visited the prison, in London, in May and June 2025 and found that, on average, boys spent only four hours a day unlocked, with some getting less than an hour out of their cells. Attendance at education was very poor, with sessions often cancelled at short notice.

Feltham is one of three prisons holding children in England where staff will soon be armed with PAVA spray, in spite of evidence that this weapon has failed to reduce violence and has damaged relationships when it has been used in prisons holding adults.

The findings outlined in today’s inspection report only add to these concerns. Use of force was too high, and inspectors found that the prison had no plan to reduce it. Staff did not wear or activate their body-worn cameras routinely, which prevented leaders from scrutinising incidents properly. Behaviour management by staff was ineffective. The rate of sickness among frontline staff was among the highest of all prisons, which made it difficult for leaders to build effective relationships or deliver a reliable daily routine.

Through its advice line, the Howard League has heard from children at Feltham who are spending almost all day in their cell and who report education being cancelled frequently. Data obtained by the charity through freedom of information requests revealed that, in June 2025, children at Feltham received on average only 6.2 hours of education per week – far lower than the 15 hours for children of statutory school age required by law. Children received on average only four hours and 17 minutes out of their cells on weekdays and only three hours and 35 minutes out of their cells at weekends.

Andrea Coomber KC (Hon.), Chief Executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: “High rates of use of force, scant education, and regimes compromised by chronic staff sickness that leave children trapped routinely inside their cells for 20 hours per day. This is the toxic backdrop against which we should analyse the terrible levels of violence inside Feltham and the short-sighted decision to introduce PAVA, a pain-inducing chemical irritant spray that is classified as a prohibited weapon under the Firearms Act 1968.

“Prison is no place for a child and, while this report notes signs of progress under a new leadership team, it remains the case that boys are being denied the basics that every child needs if they are to grow, thrive and lead healthy lives free from crime.

“Instead of arming staff, the way to improve safety is to close failing young offender institutions and ensure that children are accommodated in more appropriate settings – such as secure children’s homes – where they can be given the care and support they need.”

Last month, the Howard League began legal proceedings in the High Court to challenge the government’s decision to authorise the use of PAVA spray in prisons holding children. 

Lawyers acting for the charity invited the court to grant permission for a judicial review to consider the lawfulness of the Secretary of State for Justice’s decision to introduce PAVA spray in Feltham, Werrington and Wetherby prisons.

Notes to editors 

1. The Howard League for Penal Reform is the oldest penal reform charity in the world. It is a national charity working for less crime, safer communities and fewer people in prison.

2. The inspection report for Feltham prison is available on the HM Inspectorate of Prisons website at: https://hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/our-reports/
3. Earlier this year, the Howard League obtained figures which showed that children in young offender institutions in England were typically being kept in their cells for about 20 hours per day and receiving less than 15 hours of education per week. Our press release about the figures can be found on the charity’s website: https://howardleague.org/news/revealed-the-prisons-keeping-children-locked-in-their-cells-for-hours-on-end/
4. Earlier this month, the Howard League and Independent Provider of Special Education Advice (IPSEA) published an updated version of their joint guide, Education inside penal detention for children in England. This is the only resource of its kind that explains the legal rights and entitlements of children with special educational needs in custody: https://howardleague.org/publications/education-inside-penal-detention-for-children-in-england-2/

5. For more information about the Howard League’s drive to protect children from PAVA spray, visit: https://howardleague.org/do-not-let-pava-spray-be-used-on-on-children/   

Contact 

Noor Khan
Press and Public Affairs Officer
Tel: +44 (0)20 7241 7873
Email: [email protected]