16 December 2019 – Ofsted inspection report states that “practices at the centre place children at risk”, that pain-inducing restraint continues to be used on children unlawfully and the centre requires improvement. (2014 was the last time Medway secure training centre was judged to be good by inspectors). 13 February 2017 – BBC reports a … Read more
A joint letter is published today in The Times, in response to abuse revelations at G4S-run Medway secure training centre. The letter calls for children to be moved from G4S Medway, and other institutions like it, to settings “where we can be sure they will be safe, respected and properly cared for”. After this, we … Read more
Ahead of tonight’s screening of BBC Panorama’s ‘Teenage prison abuse exposed’, here’s five facts about Medway secure training centre. 1) It was the first of four secure training centres to open, in April 1998. Originally designed for 12 to 14 year-olds who persistently offend, the upper age increased to 17 with the passing of the … Read more
Tonight’s BBC Panorama exposé showed children being treated appallingly by male officers working at G4S-run Medway secure training centre. The programme showed footage of: Officers deliberately escalating incidents so they could (in their minds) justify restraining/assaulting children A child being restrained through pain and excessive force, and being unable to breathe A child being held … Read more
With the news that BBC Panorama plans to broadcast its programme on Medway secure training centre* this coming Monday (11th January), it’s worth reflecting on an earlier investigation into abusive restraint and other cruelty. Depending on the content of the programme, of course, might we expect the same level of concern and action for children? … Read more