Colin Allars, YJB Chief Executive, said:

Our role is to ensure that services within custodial establishments are provided to the required standard, so that young people in the youth justice system can go on to lead positive, crime-free lives.

It is disappointing to see the decline in purposeful activity and the rise in violence at Wetherby YOI, as outlined in HMIP’s report.

We understand the operational challenges facing YOIs, and the difficulty Wetherby and the Keppel Unit have in order to deliver a timetable which fully meets requirements.

The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) is improving the services at these establishments and we will continue to work with them on this.

Note to editors

You can read the inspection report on the HMI Prisons website