THE ‘extremely troubled’ history of Greenfields suggests that there is a real risk of vulnerable children being mistreated because of a divide among staff, according to an independent report released today.

The Howard League for Penal Reform said that it was not within the remit of their new review to go into the history of the youth remand home in any detail. However, they raised particular concerns about long-standing conflicts in the staff group who are ‘divided’ with a ‘great deal of distrust’ in some of the management.

The staff and young people have spoken about the former practices relating to isolation, single separation or solitary confinement.

The Howard League team spoke to current and former members of staff about the practices that took place, and opinion was divided. Some thought that former practice was abusive — and others thought it reasonable.
They also spoke to several young people who mentioned abusive experiences they had suffered there.

• Picture: Members of the Howard League on a visit to Jersey to look at youth detention. From left: Jon Fayle, Andrew Neilson and Lynne Ravenscroft. Picture by Richard Wainwright (00561084)