Strip-searching of young offenders is preferred search technique, finds YJB

The Youth Justice Board’s (YJB’s) review of strip-searching, initiated in 2006 and published today (14 February), involved a two-month study of the use of full searches in a selected number of young offender institutions (YOIs), secure training centres (STCs) and secure children’s homes (SCHs).

It found there were 1,750 strip-searches at Feltham YOI – the highest number among the five YOIs in the study. There were 95 and 195 searches at Hassockfield STC and Rainsbrook STC respectively.

Strip-searching is used on young offenders to check if they are carrying items such as drugs, mobile phones or weapons.

The review found that, generally, establishments routinely fully searched young people on reception and discharge with the majority being random, although a small percentage were risk-led, based on intelligence.

However, data collected as part of the review suggested that detection rates are very low, with contraband such as drugs or weapons only detected in between one per cent and three per cent of cases.

The review noted that while technology that has emerged in recent years, including a scanning chair, known as a Boss chair, portable knife arches and X-ray equipment for bags, could check for concealed items, staff claimed the use of it did not necessarily replace the need for full searches. "In the main, contraband found on young people consisted of cigarettes and/or small amounts of cannabis, making the use of metal detectors futile," the review states.

The most appropriate body-scanning technology was found to be an X-ray system that scans the body, although the review noted that there is no information on the potential impact this scanner may have on the health of people repeatedly undergoing a search.

The YJB pledged to review the policy on strip-searching in YOIs in July 2006, after an independent review by Lord Carlile called for an end to the "intrusive" practice.

Falling short of calling for an end to full searches, the review recommends there is "a strong case" for adopting a principle that full-searching should be based on prior risk assessment. It also proposes that each secure establishment’s approach to full searches should be regarded as part of its safeguarding arrangements, and for a comprehensive search strategy to be developed, if not already in place, implemented and routinely monitored.

Frances Crook, director of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: "The prisons don’t count how often it is imposed on children because it is a pervasive and endemic practice by prison officers who are resistant to giving up this abuse of their power.

"Local authority units manage to search children with dignity and respect while maintaining security and discipline. There's no reason this couldn't be replicated across the estate."