Overview

• Specially trained officers in Feltham A, Werrington, and Wetherby YOIs will begin using PAVA spray this summer to de-escalate serious or imminent violence.
• The trial follows a 25% rise in assaults on staff in 2024, with rates 14 times higher than in adult prisons, according to official figures.
• The rollout is subject to strict oversight, including independent panel reviews of each use and a ministerial evaluation after 12 months.
• Prison reform advocates, including the Howard League for Penal Reform, have criticized the measure as excessive force against minors and are considering legal action.
• Supporters, including the Prison Officers’ Association, argue the spray is essential for staff safety in a system struggling with violent incidents and weaponized everyday items.