Feltham prison told to show ‘positive images’ of gay men on its walls

Pictures of gay and bisexual men should be displayed on the walls of Feltham prison to combat homophobia and promote diversity, government inspectors said today.

A report on the young offender institution, which holds about 650 males aged 15 to 21, says "positive images" should be put up as insufficient efforts were being made to support inmates of a different sexual orientation.

It also calls for a prison officer to be given special responsibility for dealing with gay and bisexual youths detained at Feltham and for the issue to receive the same emphasis as fighting racism.

The recommendations by Chief Inspector of Prisons Dame Anne Owers came as her report revealed an average of 70 violent incidents a month there.

Conditions have improved since the murder of Zahid Mubarek by cellmate Robert Stewart in 2000.

The report says that although the task of managing the "volatile" inmates should not be underestimated, progress is being made.

It criticises a "high" use of force by staff, with 1,292 incidents recorded last year — mostly to deal with violence.