The abuse suffered by thousands of boys at Medomsley Detention Centre has recently been recognised as one of the most shocking institutional abuse scandals in Britain. Yet, despite the scale and seriousness of what happened, many survivors spent decades waiting to be heard.

Survivors of Medomsley Detention Centre continue to seek full acknowledgement of the abuse they suffered. Learn how decades of trauma, investigations and compensation efforts have shaped the ongoing fight for truth and justice.

The Government issued (on 12 November 2025) a long-awaited apology to the men who suffered systemic abuse at Medomsley Detention Centre in County Durham.

David Greenwood, Head of Abuse at Switalskis, exposes the shocking abuse in UK detention centres and questions how it was allowed to persist.

The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) is set to publish its report into Medomsley Detention Centre, County Durham, on 13th November 2025.

Switalskis has started to receive offers to settle claims for a large number of clients seeking compensation under a Ministry of Justice compensation scheme that pays compensation to applicants who were physically abused / assaulted whilst serving sentences – Detention Centre Orders – at Eastwood Park Detention Centre. The Scheme officially opened in January 2025.

It has been confirmed that the Eastwood Park Detention Centre Compensation Scheme will shortly commence following a meeting held with the Ministry of Justice. Compensation will be paid to ex-detainees who were physically abused or assaulted whilst serving their sentence.

Many boys were beaten by prison officers at Eastwood Park Detention Centre during the 1970s and 80s.