Prison officials rename failed ‘gun amnesty’ campaign – as inmates didn’t understand the word

West London prison leaders have been forced to rebrand a ‘gun amnesty’ campaign – after realizing inmates didn’t understand the word ‘amnesty’.

Before a cell inspection at HMP Feltham, prisoners were asked to hand over potentially lethal objects without fear of punishment.

Almost nothing was handed in voluntarily, even though the prisoners were sitting on a plethora of self-made weapons – including sharpened toothbrushes, broken toilet seats, nails and billiard balls in socks.

A report from the prison last week said: “A gun amnesty has been announced with negligible results. It later turned out that people didn’t understand the meaning of ‘amnesty’.’

The front gate of HMP Feltham, also known as the Feltham Young Offenders Institution, a male juvenile prison and young offenders institution in Hounslow, London

The word comes from the Greek word “amnestia” which means “forgive and forget”.

HMP Feltham said the strategy had been renamed, adding: “Steps have been taken with other amnesties to take time to explain this.”

The Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) report states: “Weapons continue to be made from sharpened pieces of plastic, including prison cutlery, toothbrushes and toilet seats.

“Findings of sharp objects such as screws, nails or pegs in socks are rarer.”

The report also noted that some detainees carried guns because it was “common in their lives before incarceration.”

It added: “You [said] They feel safer because they fear other young adults are carrying guns. Staff try to identify prisoners with this mindset [and] the police are informing the prison about young adults who are ordinary knife-wielders.’

Almost 400 inmates between the ages of 15 and 21 live at HMP Feltham. Violence at the facility has increased and inmates are now receiving “yellow cards”.

These result in the loss of privileges, which may include visits and canteen orders.

Last year the prison saw 24 violent incidents a month – double the previous year’s 12 incidents.