'Our vulnerable sons are in 'Swinfen Hell' - save them before it is too late' - harrowing pleas of mothers secures cabinet minister backing

This week the Express & Star published the findings of The Annual Report of the Independent Monitoring Board at HMP Swinfen Hall which uncovered a litany of problems including weapons being readily available for violent inmates and vulnerable prisoners living in fear of being attacked. 

Distraught mothers of vulnerable inmates have set up a support group to demand prison authorities implement a vulnerable prisoners only wing to stem the epidemic of violence in the young offenders association.

Their Facebook group Swinfen Hell Prison highlights the dangers vulnerable prisoners at the YOI. The group's founder, from West Bromwich whose son is serving time for sexual offences, has secured the backing of Labour minister Sir Chris Bryant MP. 

She said: "All the mothers in our group are terrified of getting that phone call saying their son has been killed or taken their own life. We call it Swinfen Hell for a reason."

"Every other young offenders institution in the UK has a dedicated vulnerable persons wing, why can't Swinfen Hall."

The Prison Service told the Express & Star the current system has been in place for 20 years and could be changed by the Governor. 

A spokesperson: “Prison Governors decide how sex offenders are held, based on the specific circumstances of their prison and in line with operational policy and safety considerations.” 

Sir Chris Bryant, Minister of State at the Department for Business and Trade, backed the campaign after being shocked at the mothers' stories

He said: "I am writing regarding safety concerns at HMP Swinfen Hall, particularly the practice of mixing vulnerable prisoners (VPs), including those convicted of sexual offences, within the general population rather than housing them in a dedicated unit. 

"There are troubling accounts from families of prisoners who describe their loved ones facing threats, intimidation, and isolation. These echo wider concerns expressed by the Prison Officers’ Association about increasing levels of violence and the strain this places on both prisoners and staff.

The MP asked if the prison service is discussing creating a dedicated vulnerable prisoners’ wing at Swinfen Hall and what measures ensure VPs can access purposeful activity and healthcare safely. He also wanted answers about how families concerns were being dealt with.

The independent report into the state of Swinfen Hall highlighted several serious problems including weapons  and drugs being readily available for violent inmates.

The report stated: "The use of weapons became more serious with stabbings and assaults via kicks and stamps to the head later in the year."

Prison officers used force more than twice a day in Swinfen Hall due to the violence. Between May 1, 2024, and April 30 2025, there were  878 use of force incidents, 506 using guiding holds and 437 applications of handcuffs. The mental heal;th of prisoners is also a serious problem with 169 self-harm recorded incidents between January and April 2025, of which 17 were so serious as to require a hospital visit. 

As of April 30 there were 616 prisoners at Swinfen Hall, 131 of which are lifers, compared to 38 in April 2020.