Feltham Young Offenders accused of keeping teen with mental health problems in 'inhuman' conditions

A London prison has been accused of holding a teenager with “significant” mental health problems in “inhuman and degrading conditions”.

The 16-year-old boy, who cannot be identified, was held in "prolonged solitary confinement" in his cell at Feltham Young Offenders Initiation, west London.

It meant he was forced to spend 23-and-a-half hours in his cell every day and was not allowed any contact with other inmates.

A High Court Judge had heard that the teen was "permitted no contact with any other child and allowed out only to shower, use the phone or exercise alone, accompanied by two officers for the other 30 minutes".

The Justice Secretary Liz Truss is contesting parts of the case.

According to the BBC, the boy was has been living in these conditions since he was brought to the prison last December and has received no education.

Court papers revealed that the inmate, who was known to police since the age of 10 and has a string of convictions, had experienced "emotional and physical abuse and serious trauma" when he was younger.

He has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder anxiety, hyper-vigilance, hyper-arousal and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder for which he requires high doses of medication.

He was reportedly placed in solitary confinement due to his behaviour at previous institutions.

Speaking on behalf of the boy’s mother, Dan Squires QC told Mr Justice Ouseley that solitary confinement was a "common and systemic practice at Feltham for dealing with challenging behaviour of children".

In written argument, he submitted that the boy's treatment was not the result of "unique problems he poses", but "reflects the routine practice" of Feltham in response to the many children there "whose behaviour is regarded as difficult".

Mr Squires said: "It is widely recognised by a series of different international and domestic bodies that the prolonged solitary confinement of children constitutes cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and should be absolutely prohibited."

The judge is being asked to rule that the boy's treatment since he was detained at Feltham in December last year was unlawful on a number of grounds.

The judicial review action has been brought on behalf of the child by the Howard League for Penal Reform.

The charity said before the hearing that the Government had "conceded that, for long spells of the boy's time in custody, aspects of his treatment were unlawful - but it is still fighting the claim".

"The real dispute relates to Article 3 [of the Human Right's Act]," said Mr Squires, who claims the inmate has been denied the statutory minimum of 15 hours' education per week.

Howard League chief executive Frances Crook said: "This is a widespread problem and it is getting worse.

"In just the last week, several more children have asked the Howard League for help because they are in almost total isolation."

He said: "Some of the children we have represented have been in solitary confinement for up to nine months and have been subject to very similar regimes to the boy in this case.

"They have been allowed out of their cells for about 30 minutes a day, with little or no access to education, limited access to exercise or fresh air, and no association or meaningful intervention."

The hearing continues on Wednesday.