Therapy ferrets used to kill rats at UK’s largest children’s prison | Prisons and probation
Pet ferrets kept as therapy animals at the UK’s largest children’s prison were used by administrators to kill rats, sparking a bloody incident and concerns about child and animal welfare.
An unorthodox method of pest control was put into practice last month HMYOI Wetherby in West Yorkshire Following an increase in the number of rats in prison offices and grounds.
The decision resulted in a child looking after the ferrets witnessing “inappropriate and potentially distressing” brutality from a screaming mouse, according to the union complaint seen by the Guardian.
Another complaint alleges the horned rodent was later “dropped to death” by a senior staff member in front of prison officers.
The incident highlights yet again the vermin-ridden conditions in which children and adults are detained in prisons across England and Wales.
Mark Fairhurst, national president of the Prison Officers’ Association (POA), called for the policy to be reversed, claiming the incident occurred because private contractors had failed to keep prisons pest-free.
“This is unacceptable working practice and must be removed immediately. This proves once again that the external maintenance contract, which is not fit for purpose, must be canceled and brought back in-house,” he said.
Animal-assisted therapy was introduced more than a decade ago at Wetherby, a former hostel that serves as a “national resource for the most vulnerable children in prison.”
Built on decaying 1950s brick buildings, 1990s blocks and repurposed sailors’ huts, the young offenders’ institute could house up to 288 boys aged between 15 and 18, while it currently houses around 100 children.
Prison Service sources said the ferrets were being kept as part of a treatment program for traumatized children.
But in mid-May, staff and children complained about dozens of rats roaming the prison buildings and grounds. A team of officers and boys who were allowed to undertake maintenance duties, called ‘Q Branch’, were given permission to use ferrets to kill rats.
According to a POA complaint sent to the institute’s director, Mark Scott, “a mouse was cornered and killed in the staff office using pet ferrets. This raises significant concerns regarding animal welfare, health and safety, infection control and professional conduct.”
“It is particularly concerning that a young person responsible for the ferrets was present and witnessed the incident. Being subjected to such an incident is inappropriate and potentially distressing and requires investigation.”
Rather than destroying captured mice using approved pest control methods, the manager recommended they be “stepped on or thrown against walls,” the union’s complaint said.
According to a separate complaint to the Health and Safety Executive, the ferret was “running freely and chasing the mouse, eventually biting it and holding it still” until a senior staff member “crushed the mouse until it died”. It was claimed that many personnel witnessed the incident.
The HSE complaint stated that the use of ferrets to hunt mice was authorized by a particular member of the senior management team.
The union said the incident would not only traumatize child prisoners and prison officers, but also pose a “risk of transmission” and raise concerns under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and the Public Health (Control of Diseases) Act 1984.
Although ferrets are often associated with hunting rabbits, some psychologists say they are playful and sensitive animals that can help traumatized teenagers.
The National Ferret Welfare Association said raising ferrets should always be done “in a controlled manner by experienced adults”.
“We cannot comment on the specific situation without further information, but under no circumstances can we condone the branding and killing of any animal,” a spokesman said.
Rat infestations are becoming increasingly common in prisons in England and Wales. A recent inspection at HMP Manchester, formerly Strangeways, found the wings smelled strongly of rat urine, and the smell was made worse by exercise areas covered in rubbish thrown through cell windows. At HMP Rochester, prisoners had to cover the gaps under their cell doors with cardboard to keep rats out.
In February, a report to Wetherby by HM Inspectorate of Prisons found high levels of violence and self-harm.
Prison Service sources said the influx of rats in Wetherby was due to construction works disturbing the rat nest. A Youth Detention Service spokesman said: “This was an isolated incident related to maintenance work. HMYOI Wetherby has since strengthened its pest control procedures to keep pests out.”
