Vulnerability factors
Physical development
The stage of physical development must be a factor. The least developed are in a period of some anxiety regarding bodily and hormonal changes, and the environment of prison only exacerbates this. Juveniles in particular are weak in comparison with adults and so may be at risk not only from their peers but also from members of staff.
Mental development
It is not unusual for young prisoners to give a history of having attended special schools because of difficulties in learning. Such young people are more easily exploited and never more so than in a prison setting. They are more likely to be used as pawns, to be drawn into drug taking and get into debt, and to be the ones who are most likely to be punished.
Psychological development
Part of the maturing process from a child to an adult involves the acquiring of social skills and the ability to negotiate and reason. Young prisoners are at varying levels of psychological development and the most immature are the most vulnerable in the group. Because they lack these skills they may resort to physical violence as a means of resolving conflict.
Presence of adults
Above all, it is important that young prisoners are kept within their own age groups and away from adult prisoners so that the pressures and abuse from more mature prisoners are kept to a minimum.