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Investigation into the Failing of Medomsley Detention Centre

Prisons Published 12 Nov 2025 Commissioned by Lord Chancellor Subject Medomsley Detention Centre Investigator Prisons and Probation Ombudsman

PPO special investigation into historical physical and sexual abuse at Medomsley Detention Centre between 1961 and 1987, commissioned by Lord Chancellor Alex Chalk in October 2023.

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Acceptance status

3 recommendations
No Response Published 3

Recommendations (3)

Rec 1 Ministers (Ministry of Justice, HM Prison and Probation Service, Police and other relevant bodies) No Response Published
Recommendation
The first is that it is still not a requirement for every child in detention to be proactively, and regularly, asked by an independent party about their custody experience seen through a safeguarding lens. If the right environment was created … Read more
Rec 2 Ministers (Ministry of Justice, HM Prison and Probation Service, Police and other relevant bodies) No Response Published
Recommendation
The second is around the complaints process for children in custody. I have made a notable observation that the system for children to make a complaint in today’s criminal justice system remains broadly the same as the system in place … Read more
Rec 3 All of the bodies referenced in this investigation (Ministry of Justice, HM Prison and Probation Service, Police and other relevant bodies) No Response Published
Recommendation
The third is that despite criminal convictions, civil cases and compensation paid to the victims of Medomsley, none of them have ever received a public apology. If I were to recommend that any party should do so, then victims would, … Read more