New ministers vow to uncover truth about Medomsley Detention Centre abuse that left them 'appalled'
More than 1,800 men reported that they were either physically or sexually abused at the County Durham detention centre
by Sophie Doughty · ChronicleLiveThe truth behind the appalling abuse of young inmates at Medomsley Detention Centre must be uncovered, new Government ministers have said today.
More than 1,800 men reported that they were either physically or sexually abused while being held at Medomsley Detention Centre, in County Durham, during the 1970s and 1980s, after police launched an investigation into historical crimes at the facility. Thanks to the bravery of victims who came forward to relive their ordeals in court, a number of retired prison officers were prosecuted and jailed for their roles in the vile abuse.
A new investigation carried out by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO), which aims to discover whether authorities could have stepped in to stop the abuse at the time, is now under way.
Today Sir Nic Dakin, the new Minister for Youth Justice and new Prisons Minister Lord James Timpson have voiced their support for the investigation. And in a joint statement the ministers urged anyone with information about what went on at Medomsley to help the PPO with its probe.
They said: "Following our appointments as ministers for Youth Justice and Prisons respectively, we were both appalled to find out more about the horrific abuse that occurred at Medomsley Detention Centre between 1961-1987. We are determined to get to the bottom of the circumstances behind the abuse at Medomsley.
"We continue to be grateful to the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman for their expertise and independence in conducting a rigorous and effective investigation into the abuse that took place at Medomsley. However, we are aware the PPO can only work with the information they have available. To aid this investigation, and ensure that every voice and experience is captured, we encourage anyone with information relating to Medomsley Detention Centre to come forward and speak to the PPO."
The minsters also praised those who had already bravely come forward.
They added: "We commend the courage of witnesses, victims and survivors who have already come forward to share their experiences with the PPO."
The PPO was commissioned by the previous government in October 2023 to carry out a special investigation into the abuse that occurred at Medomsley Detention Centre between 1961 and 1987. Investigators working on the probe, codenamed Operation Deerness, have already spoken to scores of victims and their family members, as well as some survivors who have not previously come forward in other police investigations into Medomsley.
The Operation Deerness team can be contacted by email at ppomedomsleyinvestigation@ppo.gov.uk, or by mobile/text on 07511 165 266. There is also anonymous online questionnaire.
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