Overview

• The Ministry of Justice has announced a 12-month trial of Pava pepper spray in three young offender institutions starting summer 2025 to address escalating violence.
• Assaults on staff in youth custody facilities were reported to be 14 times higher than in adult prisons, with incidents involving improvised weapons and serious injuries.
• The spray will be restricted to specially trained officers and used only in cases of serious violence or imminent risk, with each deployment subject to independent review.
• The trial has been met with criticism from reform groups, including the Howard League for Penal Reform, which warned of potential legal challenges and highlighted systemic failures in youth custody.
• Supporters, including the Prison Officers' Association, argue that the spray is a necessary tool to protect staff and inmates while broader reforms in the youth justice system are underway.