Jimmy McGovern Criticizes Young Offender Institution Staff as 'Lazy' Over Keep-Apart Policy
Jimmy McGovern, a Bafta-winning screenwriter, revealed his shock at the conditions within young offender institutions (YOIs) while researching for the BBC drama Time. He criticized the keep-apart system, arguing it permits officers to remain inactive, and highlighted that young boys are locked in their cells for 23 hours a day, a situation that worsened after the Covid-19 lockdowns. McGovern referred to the facilities as "feral" and condemned the officers' inability to control fights among inmates. Mark Fairhurst, head of the Prison Officers' Association, deemed these remarks "unfair," asserting that keep-aparts are essential for safety due to ongoing understaffing. The Ministry of Justice backed its personnel and pledged to enhance outdoor time for children. The series features David Tennant, Siobhan Finneran, and Chukwubuikem Molokwu.
Key facts
- Jimmy McGovern researched young offender institutions for the third series of his BBC drama Time
- McGovern said inmates are "banged up 23 hours a day" under the keep-apart system
- He called the facilities "appalling" and said the policy gives officers an "excuse for being lazy"
- The Prison Officers' Association called the criticism "unfair" and defended keep-aparts as essential against daily violence
- POA chairman Mark Fairhurst cited chronic under-staffing and unmanageable workloads
- The Ministry of Justice said it did not recognise the claims about its hardworking prison staff
- The new series stars David Tennant, Siobhan Finneran and Chukwubuikem Molokwu
- McGovern wrote the series with Samuel Bailey; earlier seasons focused on adult prisons
Entities
Artists
- Jimmy McGovern
- David Tennant
- Siobhan Finneran
- Chukwubuikem Molokwu
- Samuel Bailey
- Mark Fairhurst
Institutions
- BBC
- BBC North West Tonight
- BBC Radio Merseyside
- Prison Officers' Association
- Ministry of Justice
- HM Inspectorate of Prisons
Locations
- Liverpool
- England
- United Kingdom