Historic Abuse in Young Offenders Institutions

The CICA is a government funded scheme designed to compensate victims of violent crime in England, Wales and Scotland. Unfortunately, the criteria that an applicant must meet to be eligible for compensation are quite strict.

Stanhope was an approved school for boys under the control of the Home Office from 1941 until 1973, when approved schools were abolished.  It became a community home under the control of various local authorities until it closed in 1981.  In 2013 Durham Police set up Operation Midday, and 28 victims have come forward, including the man in question.  He was subject to sexual abuse and beaten every day for six years but was denied compensation from the CICA due to an unspent conviction following a four-year jail term.

The man in this case was rejected compensation on the basis that he had an unspent conviction.

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority scheme excludes awards of compensation if an applicant has an unspent conviction, which resulted in a custodial or community service sentence.

Unlike some of the other recently publicised cases, there have been no prosecutions arising out of the physical or sexual abuse at Stanhope Castle.  This meant that many of the cases were not progressed against the local authorities to whom Stanhope Castle’s liabilities were transferred due to lack of evidence, and the only recourse was by way of CICA application.  This may not be the case in relation to other institutions.