Overview
- The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman published a 202-page report on November 12 concluding that widespread physical and sexual abuse persisted at Medomsley Detention Centre from 1961 to 1987, affecting more than 2,000 trainees.
- The report identifies prison officer Neville Husband as the most prolific perpetrator, attributing 388 of 549 recorded sexual abuse allegations to him; he was convicted in 2003 and 2005 and died in 2010.
- It finds that leaders at every level failed to protect detainees and that the Prison Service, police, Home Office and other authorities ignored or dismissed knowledge of abuse.
- The inquiry reviewed nearly 8,000 documents and interviewed dozens of witnesses, documenting degrading strip searches, sadistic violence and sexual assaults, alongside complaints processes that left victims too afraid or unable to seek help.
- While previous investigations led to five former officers being jailed in 2019 and further proceedings in 2023, the ombudsman calls for institutional reflection, improved safeguarding for children in custody and consideration of a formal public apology to survivors.