G4S Children's Services
Statement regarding Medway Secure Training Centre
Following the broadcast of the BBC's Panorama programme regarding Medway Secure Training Centre, Paul Cook, G4S Managing Director of G4S Children's Services said:
"We are appalled by the behaviour of certain members of staff at Medway Secure Training Centre shown in the programme and I would like to apologise personally to any young people involved in these incidents. The wellbeing, safety and care of the young people at Medway is our primary objective and we are shocked that any member of staff would behave in this way."
"There is no place for the conduct shown in the programme within any of our Secure Training Centres and it will not be tolerated. We took immediate action to suspend the staff concerned on 30 December and we will take further action as appropriate once the police investigation is complete. We have also taken immediate steps to increase the oversight and governance at Medway whilst the investigation continues."
"We are in close discussion with the Youth Justice Board to commission an investigation into these matters once the Kent Police investigation is complete and we have requested copies of all of the evidence collected by BBC Panorama between August and December 2015 in order for us to conduct a thorough investigation."
Ends
Notes to Editors:
Medway STC is a 76-bed facility for young offenders (aged between 12 and 18) in Kent in the South East of England. The centre has been managed by G4S in close co-operation with the YJB since it opened in 1998. In the most recent Osfted led inspection, the centre was classified as "good with outstanding features" and was recently awarded the Restorative Justice Quality mark in recognition of the positive work undertaken with young people within the centre. Education attainment levels are high with 265 entry level GCSE certificates achieved by trainees last year and over 80% of young people leaving the centre with educational accreditation.
G4S works closely with the YJB to ensure the best possible care for the young people at the centre. There is a YJB performance monitor based permanently at the centre, on site NHS healthcare professionals and an independent advocacy service for young people at the centre provided by Barnado's, a leading UK children's charity.
About G4S
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