LONDON (BN24) — Two prison officers were seriously injured in an “unprovoked” attack by an inmate at Feltham Young Offenders’ Institution (YOI) in southwest London on Tuesday, officials and union representatives said.
A male officer suffered a fractured skull, while a female colleague experienced a seizure after sustaining facial injuries during the assault. Both were taken to the hospital for treatment. Feltham, which houses up to 140 youths aged 15 to 18, has been described as the most violent youth prison in the United Kingdom.
Mark Fairhurst, national chairman of the Prison Officers’ Association (POA), said the attack underscores the urgent need to expand the use of PAVA pepper spray to all youth prison staff. The Ministry of Justice currently limits its deployment to senior officers.
“Two of my colleagues were hospitalised due to an unprovoked violent attack by a young criminal,” Fairhurst said. “Staff should not have to work under threat without adequate protection in place. Those who think it is acceptable for staff to be used as human punching bags are just as culpable as the thugs who assault them.” He added that the assault highlights how close the youth prison system is coming to a tragedy.
The PAVA spray policy faces a judicial review after the Howard League for Penal Reform challenged its use, arguing that it can cause physical and psychological harm to children and may be applied disproportionately against inmates from minority groups. The charity also warned that its use could spark further violence.
Feltham has seen a sharp rise in assaults on staff. Last year, incidents involving children and young people up to age 21 in England’s three YOIs increased nearly 25 percent compared with 2023, a rate about 14 times higher than in adult prisons. The surge in violence comes amid mounting pressure on Justice Secretary David Lammy following the accidental release of more than 350 prisoners in the past 18 months, including two high-profile migrant sex offenders.
The prison’s challenges have been highlighted in official inspections. A report this summer described the facility as offering a “bleak existence” for inmates due to low educational attendance, high levels of violence, and staff shortages. Boys at Feltham reportedly spend only four hours per day outside their cells, often in enforced idleness, while enhanced units receive somewhat more time.
Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor said inspectors observed “frustration” among both staff and inmates due to frequent cancellations of lessons and activities. Feltham’s 12-month record showed 253 assaults on children, contributing to unpredictable staffing and some of the highest sickness rates in the country.
While Taylor noted “cautious optimism” that conditions could improve under interim governor Gary Sillifant, Ofsted maintained that the overall grade for the prison remained “inadequate” because of poor behaviour and management of education services, despite some positive aspects of teaching quality.
The Ministry of Justice has been contacted for comment on the attack, including whether any arrests have been made in connection with Tuesday’s incident.
