Monstrous perversion of justice - Government apologises for abuse at detention centre

The centre, which was designed to hold offenders aged between 17 and 21, was in operation from 1961 to 1987, and the offences for which the young men were sentenced ranged from shoplifting and non-payment of fines to robbery.

The apology comes as the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman published a report detailing physical and sexual abuse at Medomsley spanning from the 1960s to 1980s and the institutional failings which contributed to it.

In October 2023 the then Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Alex Chalk, commissioned the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) to undertake an independent investigation into the abuse of inmates at Medomsley Detention Centre.

The report, which was published today (November 12), revealed a “systemic culture of physical abuse” at the centre which became embedded as a practice of ‘short, sharp, shock,”.

As well as detailing the physical and sexual abuse at Medomsley the report also highlighted the institutional failings, including the Home Office, which contributed to it.

Speaking on behalf of the government, Mr Richards described the abuse as “a monstrous perversion of justice” and paid tribute to the courage of survivors and the tireless campaigning of MPs and families who have fought for justice over many years.

Mr Richards added: “To the men who suffered such horrific abuse at Medomsley, I want to say again - I am truly sorry. The failings set out in today’s report by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman are truly harrowing, and we must ensure nothing like this ever happens again.”

The Youth Justice minister also announced a new Youth Custody Safeguarding Panel, led by an expert in child safeguarding.

Mr Richards added: “This Government is establishing a Youth Custody Safeguarding Panel to review how we protect children in custody today. It will ensure their voices are heard, that complaints are taken seriously, and that every child is kept safe from harm.”

The Youth Custody Safeguarding Panel will report directly to Ministers and will look closely at how professionals work with young people in custody. This includes how children can speak up if something is wrong and how safety measures are working.

In 2019, the Ministry of Justice established a settlement scheme for victims and survivors of physical and sexual abuse at Medomsley.

To date, this has paid out over £10m to over 2,700 individuals and anyone who suffered abuse at Medomsley is still able to make a claim.

The Government were also keen to stress that the youth custody system in place today “bears little resemblance to the one which the abuse at Medomsley took place”.

The Government has also reaffirmed its commitment to wider child safeguarding reforms, including a new statutory duty to report child sexual abuse for professionals working with children, and a stronger obligations on public bodies to provide evidence during investigations.

Enhanced legal rights for victims through the Victims and Courts Bill, is also currently progressing through Parliament.

A Government spokesperson said: “The government is determined that those who do require custody receive the best care and support they need to turn their lives around.”