- Government vows systemic abuse at Medomsley must never happen again
- New safeguarding panel to improve protections for children in custody
- Part of wider Government reforms to bolster child safeguarding as part of Plan for Change
Speaking on behalf of the government, Minister 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.
The apology follows a Prison and Probation Ombudsman report into the physical, sexual and psychological abuse many children suffered at Medomsley in the North East of England from the early 1960s until its closure in the late 1980s.
In a written statement to Parliament responding to the report, the Government has today also announced new measures to ensure such horrors are never allowed to happen again.
A new Youth Custody Safeguarding Panel, led by an expert in child safeguarding, will review how children are protected in custody. The panel will examine areas such as complaints processes, staff training and ensure children’s voices are heard.
Minister for Youth Justice, Jake Richards said
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.
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 custodial estate today bears little resemblance to the one which the abuse at Medomsley took place, with children no longer detained for less serious offences and the number of children in custody has fallen significantly in the last 20 years.
However, the government is determined that those who do require custody receive the best care and support they need to turn their lives around.
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 has also reaffirmed its commitment to wider child safeguarding reforms, including
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A new statutory duty to report child sexual abuse for professionals working with children.
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Stronger obligations on public bodies to provide evidence with candour during investigations.
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Enhanced legal rights for victims through the Victims and Courts Bill, currently progressing through Parliament.
