Prison officers are expected to be allowed to use pepper spray to incapacitate children under plans to curb an increase in violence at young offender institutions.
The use of Pava spray, a synthetic form of pepper spray, across the five YOIs in England and Wales has been under discussion by ministers, the Guardian has been told.
It follows plans to introduce trials for the use of Tasers in adult prisons. Sources said that ministers could authorise the introduction of the incapacitant spray in YOIs after demands from the prison officers’ union.
Senior members of the ...
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