Young offenders handed laptops to watch nature films searched for porn

Young offenders who were handed laptops to watch nature films under pilot scheme hacked them to search for porn instead

  • Juveniles given laptops to watch nature films misused them to search for porn
  • Pilot programme involved 50 teenagers at young offenders institutions (YOIs) 
  • Breaches found at YOIs in Feltham, West London, and Werrington, Staffordshire
  • Prison service ‘swiftly resolved IT issue’ and prevented access to pornography

Juveniles who were given laptops to watch nature films misused them to search for porn.

Prison bosses were made aware of the breach after alerts from young offenders institutions (YOIs) at Feltham in West London and Werrington in Staffordshire.

The internal network – named Content Hub – was launched for boys aged 15 to 18 at Cookham Wood YOI in Kent in July of this year.

It is described by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) as a ‘restricted and secure intranet created, designed, developed and written solely for the prison estate’.  

But the boys reportedly hacked the system to gain access to the internet – although it is understood they did not view porn or contact anyone from outside the unit.

Prison bosses were made aware of the breach after alerts from young offenders institutions (YOIs) at Feltham (file photo above) in West London and Werrington in Staffordshire

A source told The Sun: ‘It’s red faces all round. It might seem amusing but the consequences could have been far more serious.’  

The platform allows offenders to ‘access prison services and information that both supports individual self-improvement and frees up staff time’.

This includes content such as nature documentaries, games, TED talks, yoga, 24/7 National Prison Radio as well as mental health and addition support.

The technology is being rolled out to all YOIs in England and Wales by next April, while eight adult prisons including HMP Lindholme received it last summer.

On its website, the MoJ writes: ‘The Content Hub is a platform for prison residents to access prison services and information that both supports individual self-improvement and frees up staff time.’

It adds: ‘Our YOI discovery also identified boredom as another key driver of violence, increased further by social restrictions imposed by the Covid pandemic. 

The internal network – named Content Hub – was launched for boys aged 15 to 18 at Cookham Wood YOI (file photo showing prison guard at site) in July this year

‘The impact of distraction content on the Content Hub, such as music and documentaries should not be underestimated. 

‘Users often tell us how a simple nature documentary can have a very positive impact on their mood when locked in their rooms.’

The latest issue is reportedly being investigated by security teams at the MoJ, which has described the incident as ‘extremely rare’. 

Moj security blocked the programmes from being installed at all prisons which have in-cell devices. 

The Prison Service said: ‘We swiftly resolved an IT issue and the system security prevented use of unpermitted material.’

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