Student Blog: Jackson Kayongo On a Glimpse Into Youth Imprisonment

Read Imane Benatallah's blog about the University of Westminster student project with INQUEST.

Film screening of The UK is Not Innocent at the University of Westminster. The documentary examines the deaths of children and young people in prisons, alongside other thematic areas of INQUEST's work for over 40 years.

When delving deeper into the experience of young people within the prison system, it becomes blatantly clear that despite assurances and promises from authorities, the reality in the prisons tells a different story.

Youth prisons are often plagued by limited resources, understaffing, and severe overcrowding. They lack the necessary infrastructure to cater to the needs of vulnerable youths. According to the former Children's Commissioner Anne Longfield, a staggering 70% of children in custody experience mental ill health.

What happened to Adam Rickwood serves as an example of the failures within the system. Adam, at just 14 years old, tragically took his own life while detained at Hassockfield Secure Training Centre in 2004. The circumstances surrounding Adam's death shed light on the rampant use of restraint techniques, including the controversial "nose distraction" technique, which was ultimately deemed unlawful by the European Court of Human Rights.

The story of Sarah Campbell, who died at the age of 18 from an overdose while imprisoned at Styal Prison, further underscores the systemic failures within the prison system. Despite repeated instances of self-harm and clear warnings to medical professionals, Sarah's cries for help were dismissed and ignored. The inquest into her death revealed a lack of understanding and adherence to proper procedures by prison staff.

The grim reality is that the conditions and treatment experienced by children and young people within Youth Offender Institutions (YOIs) and prisons are a far cry from what is needed for their rehabilitation and well-being.

There must be greater oversight and accountability within the prison system to prevent tragedies like those of Adam Rickwood and Sarah Campbell from recurring.

Efforts must be made to prioritise the mental health and well-being of young prisoners, ensuring access to comprehensive mental health care and support services. This includes better training for prison staff, implementing evidence-based practices, and devotion to international standards for the treatment of juvenile offenders.

Ultimately, the treatment of young people within the prison system is not just a matter of policy, but a reflection of our values as a society.  We need to stand up for their rights, demand accountability, and work towards a future where all young people are given the support and opportunity to thrive, both inside and outside of prison walls.

For more information, take a look at INQUEST's evidence-based report, Stolen Lives and Missed opportunities: The deaths of young adults and children in prison, documenting the deaths of 65 young people and children in prison between 2011 and 2014.

Please note that the opinions expressed in this blog do not represent INQUEST’s views, policy work and approach

Check out Maryam Rahman: ‘Behind Bars: The Untold Stories of Women in Prison’ — like Jackson’s, this blog post raises awareness of the various systemic issues in women’s prisons, using the devastating case of Aisha Cleary and what more we can do to help those on the inside.