The "prolonged solitary confinement" of a teenage boy held at a young offenders institution in west London has been described as "cruel" and "inhuman".

The boy aged 16, who has been referred to as AB, has been locked up for "almost the entirety of his time" at Feltham Young Offenders Institution (FYOI), a court has heard.

Since being detained at the prison on Bedfont Road, Feltham last year he has been alone in his cell for around 23-and-a-half hours a day, his lawyer told a judge at the High Court on Tuesday (April 25).

Dan Squires QC said the teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been "permitted no contact with any other child and allowed out only to shower, use the phone or exercise alone, accompanied by two officers" for 30 minutes each day.

He has also been denied any educational provision.

He told Mr Justice Ouseley solitary confinement was a "common practice" at Feltham for dealing with children "whose behaviour is regarded as difficult".

Mr Squires added: "It is widely recognised by a series of different international and domestic bodies that the prolonged solitary confinement of children constitutes cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and should be absolutely prohibited."

The judge is being asked to rule that the boy's treatment is unlawful on a number of grounds.

The judicial review action has been brought on behalf of the child by the Howard League for Penal Reform.

The case is being contested by the justice secretary, Liz Truss, from the charity which has previously said the treatment of the boy is unlawful.

Outside Feltham Young Offenders Institute

Howard League chief executive Frances Crook said: "This is a widespread problem and it is getting worse.

"In just the last week, several more children, held in prisons across the country, have asked the Howard League for help because they are in almost total isolation.

"Some of the children we have represented have been in solitary confinement for up to nine months and have been subject to very similar regimes to the boy in this case."

The hearing continues today (Wednesday April 26).

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