McGovern: Young Offenders Staff 'Lazy'

Jimmy McGovern, a BAFTA-winning screenwriter, has claimed that staff at young offenders institutes are 'lazy' due to a keep-apart policy that allows them to isolate inmates for long periods. McGovern visited young offenders institutes while researching his new drama series Time and described the facilities he visited as 'appalling'.

The keep-apart policy, which is intended to stop offenders mixing, means that inmates are 'banged up 23 hours a day'. McGovern believes that this policy gives officers an 'excuse for being lazy'. However, the Prison Officers' Association (POA) has disputed McGovern's claims, stating that keep-aparts are essential for safety due to a daily threat of serious violence.

A review from HM Inspectorate of Prisons found that some young offenders in YOIs were not permitted to leave their cells at all on some days. McGovern's new series of Time, starring David Tennant and Siobhan Finneran, follows young offenders through the system. McGovern co-wrote the series with Samuel Bailey and believes that the keep-apart policy has gotten worse since the Covid-19 pandemic.

## Why it matters The keep-apart policy has been a topic of debate for a number of years, with concerns raised about the impact of isolating young offenders for long periods. McGovern's comments highlight the need for a review of the policy and its effects on both the inmates and the staff. The POA's response suggests that safety is a major concern, but McGovern's experience and research suggest that the policy may be having unintended consequences.

The issue of young offenders institutes and the keep-apart policy is a complex one, with different stakeholders having different perspectives. McGovern's comments have sparked a debate about the need for reform and the importance of finding a balance between safety and rehabilitation. As the discussion continues, it remains to be seen what changes will be made to the policy and how it will impact the lives of young offenders.