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.

Acceptance Status
No Response Published 3

Total Recommendations 3
About this data

Acceptance Status tracks whether the responsible body accepted or responded to each recommendation.

These are independent investigations into detention conditions, including immigration removal centres and prisons.

Recommendations (3)

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
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
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