The Prison Officers' Association (POA) has called for an immediate end to the use of therapy ferrets for rat control at HMYOI Wetherby, the UK's largest children's prison, after a distressing incident where a rat was savaged and then stomped to death in front of a boy and staff members.
Incident Details
In mid-May, a surge in rat numbers at the West Yorkshire facility prompted managers to approve the use of ferrets, normally kept for therapeutic purposes, to kill rats. According to a POA complaint seen by the Guardian, a rat was cornered and killed in a staff office using domesticated ferrets. A boy responsible for the ferrets witnessed the event, described as “inappropriate and potentially distressing.” Another complaint alleges that a senior staff member then “stomped on the rat until it died” in front of prison officers.
Union Response
Mark Fairhurst, national chair of the POA, condemned the practice: “This is an unacceptable working practice and should be abolished immediately. This once again proves that the unfit for purpose outsourced maintenance contract needs to be abandoned and brought back in house.” The union argues that the incident violates the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Animal Welfare Act 2006, and the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984.
Prison Conditions
Wetherby, built around decaying 1950s buildings and 1990s blocks, holds up to 288 boys aged 15 to 18, currently housing about 100. Rat infestations are increasingly common across prisons in England and Wales. A recent inspection at HMP Manchester found wings smelling of rat urine, while at HMP Rochester, prisoners blocked cell doors with cardboard to keep rats out. In February, a report by HM Inspectorate of Prisons into Wetherby highlighted high levels of violence and self-harm.
Official Response
A Youth Custody Service spokesperson said: “This was an isolated incident relating to maintenance works. HMYOI Wetherby has since strengthened its pest control procedures to keep vermin out.” Prison Service sources blamed the rat influx on building work disturbing a nest. The National Ferret Welfare Society stated that ferreting should be “carried out in a controlled manner by experienced adults” and could not condone the stamping to death of any animal.
