United Kingdom: teen's detention breached prison rules, Liz Truss admits

A 16-year-old boy held in solitary confinement for four months was a victim of procedural “failings”, Liz Truss has admitted.

The Justice Secretary “regretted” prison rules at Feltham Young Offenders Institution had been breached, the High Court has heard.

But her lawyer denied the boy, who has mental health problems, was held in “inhuman and degrading” conditions.

Tom Weisselberg QC said he was isolated because of his “challenging” behaviour.

Ms Truss is contesting claims brought forward by the boy’s mother, that his confinement in a cell by himself for 23-and-a-half hours a day amounted to inhuman or degrading treatment.

Mr Weisselberg said the boy, known as AB, had a “history of assaulting staff” and had used “rude, racist and threatening language” to them and other inmates at Feltham.

Read full article.