The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman is set to publish its report in Medomsley Detention Centre on 13th November 2025.
In October 2023, the Secretary of State for Justice formally commissioned the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) to carry out an investigation into the historic abuse at Medomsley Detention Centre between 1961 and 1987.
The investigation, named Operation Deerness, does not seek to re-investigate the individual abusers or the incident themselves but the scope of it is to determine;
1. What the relevant authorities (such as the prison service, probation and local government) knew about the abuse, and when;
2. To assess whether there were missed opportunities to intervene or prevent the abuse;
3. To identify what action (if any) the authorities took at the relevant times.
Medomsley was a detention centre for young offenders aged between 17-21. The aim was to provide ‘short, sharp, shock’ treatment, however, over time it became subject to numerous allegations of widespread sexual and physical abuse by staff.
Operation Deerness officially began in early 2024 with a public call for former inmates and staff to come forward and share their experiences.
Once the report is published it will hopefully provide a clear account of what information was available to the authorities at the time and whether that information prompted any action. There will be recommendations aimed at learning lessons for the youth and custodial systems, safeguarding for young people and improving accountability of institutions.
More importantly, for those that were detained at Medomsley and experienced abuse, the investigation offers a further opportunity for acknowledgement and understand of how the system failed them. The investigation is a crucial step in understanding not only what happened, but why it happened, and how similar things can be prevented in the future.
Tilly Bailey & Irvine have secured compensation for a number of former inmates that were sexually, physically, and mentally abused whilst detained in Medomsley Detention Centre between 1960’s and 1980’s.
If you experienced abuse at Medomsley Detention Centre but have not yet reported it, please contact Durham Police on 101 or via their dedicated email address at;
operation.seabrook@durham.pnn.police.uk.
If you have been affected by the abuse at Medomsley Detention Centre and wish to speak to a solicitor, please contact Nathalie Clayton.
She already represents a large number of former inmates from Medomsley Detention Centre in respect of these claims.
Nathalie can be contacted on 0333 258 2563 or by filling in an online enquiry form.
