Young offenders face 'degrading' violence at jail, mothers warn

Young offenders at a prison in the Midlands have been stabbed, "dehumanised" and are "becoming more violent" in order to survive, mothers of prisoners have told the Guardian.

- Rajeev Syal

HMP Swinfen Hall, near Lichfield, Staffordshire, has seen a growing number of disturbances, including the intervention of riot officers. The prison officers' union last month called for the Ministry of Justice to intervene after several staff members were attacked. On Friday, an air ambulance was called in response to an alleged stabbing of a prisoner.

Three mothers of inmates have spoken out about conditions inside the category C prison for about 600 inmates, because of fears for the safety and sanity of their sons.

Rachel, 43, from Preston, said her 22-year-old son, who has been in Swinfen for two years, was slashed on his hand on Thursday by an inmate during the one hour in which he is allowed to leave his cell each day.

"Someone just produced a weapon and swiped at his hand," she said. "When my son asked why he had been slashed, the attacker said: 'I never liked you.' That is what Swinfen is like. They are free to dehumanise and degrade and stab each other. There are not enough guards and many don't have enough experience to handle the violence.