Government Apologises for Historical Abuse at Medomsley Detention Centre

12.11.25 | News

Minister for Youth Justice Jake Richards has today apologised to the male victims and survivors subjected to shocking and systematic abuse at Medomsley Detention Centre.

Speaking on behalf of the government, Minister Richards described the abuse as “a monstrous perversion of justice” and paid tribute to the courage of the male 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 young boys 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.” 

In response to the publication of the report, Chief Executive Officer of We Are Survivors said:

“It is right that Minister Richards, on behalf of the Government, has today apologised to the men that experienced this abuse whilst in care of the state in Medomsley. I am pleased that we have been able to provide support to so many of these men, especially those still within the criminal justice system through our OUT Spoken Talking Therapy service that we deliver across all 15 prisons in the North West.”

“Many of these men, as boys, had fractured connections with care and authority already and were extremely vulnerable to further abuse and exploitation and the fact that this happened in a place that was supposed to deliver care, support and be safe is horrific.”

“At present, the Government views these men, adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse, as victims of violence against women and girls and despite our decade long discussions and criticism of this language, there continues to be a reluctance by any Minister to address this and see male victims for who they are. As a survivor myself, having spent the last 20 years working with male survivors, I cannot express enough just how damaging invisibility is in prevention and healing”

“I look forward to seeing how the Youth Custody Safeguarding Panel will work and offer our support to the panel in moving forward”.

We Are Survivors OUT Spoken Talking Therapy Service engages with around 1,600 men every year across all 15 prisons in the North West. The service is funded by NHS England.