Teenage inmates have their own room in prison where they can throw birthday parties and be made to “feel special”.
Offenders can invite fellow lags to tuck in to a buffet laid on by staff. And there are cakes, balloons, decorations and gifts – but no booze.
The room was created as part of a new “soft skills” scheme to help improve behaviour in detention.
A source told the Sunday Mirror: “They get the full works. It’s a far cry from what most people would expect behind bars.”
The parties are thrown for the 120 teenagers, aged 15 to 18, being held at Werrington Young Offender Institution, Staffs.
The centre also offers dog training, acupuncture and ear candling – a celeb-style wellness treatment where a lit candle is placed in the ear to aid relaxation.
The birthday room was revealed in a report by jail watchdog the Independent Monitoring Board, which said the aim was to make young prisoners “feel special”.
Our source added: “It gives the lads something to look forward to and breaks up the harsh reality of doing time.
"Nowadays, governors need to be open to anything if it will improve behaviour and safety – and try to stop these individuals coming back through the gates of an adult jail.”
Officials are monitoring the scheme and similar rooms could be installed nationwide.
The Prison Service declined to comment.
