News

Comment on further arrests over child prison

Thursday, 9 June 2016

Commenting on reports that five people have been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office at the G4S-run Medway Secure Training Centre, our Deputy Director Will McMahon said:

At an appropriate moment, the Justice Select Committee should hold the G4S board to account for how it was that children were bullied and abused in their care and why the management of Medway was so shambolic.

In January 2016, a Panorama broadcast exposed serious incidents of abuse and the use of dangerous restraint at Medway. The programme also showed G4S staff falsifying reports to avoid fines for breach of contract. Following the broadcast, a number of staff were arrested.

Medway is currently run by the National Offender Management Service, after the controversial security company pulled out of running youth custodial facilities.

Will McMahon added:

The recent withdrawal by G4S from the management of jails for children is about minimising the huge reputational damage resulting from this unfolding scandal. Responsibility for these failures rests at the top of the company.