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| G4S Medway young offenders centre staff suspended over abuse claims | G4S Medway young offenders centre staff suspended over abuse claims |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Seven staff members at a young offenders institution in Kent have been suspended over abuse allegations. | Seven staff members at a young offenders institution in Kent have been suspended over abuse allegations. |
| The staff were working at the Medway Secure Training Centre in Rochester, managed by security firm G4S. | The staff were working at the Medway Secure Training Centre in Rochester, managed by security firm G4S. |
| The allegations, made following a BBC Panorama undercover investigation, involve unnecessary force, foul language and a cover-up. | The allegations, made following a BBC Panorama undercover investigation, involve unnecessary force, foul language and a cover-up. |
| Paul Cook of G4S said he was "shocked and appalled" and was supporting a police investigation. | |
| The claims relate to 10 boys aged 14 to 17. | The claims relate to 10 boys aged 14 to 17. |
| 'Inappropriately restraining' | 'Inappropriately restraining' |
| The centre holds 56 children, mainly boys, aged 12 to 17. | The centre holds 56 children, mainly boys, aged 12 to 17. |
| It is not allowed to take any more while the investigation takes place. | It is not allowed to take any more while the investigation takes place. |
| Mr Cooke, managing director of G4S children's services, told BBC Radio Kent he was informed of the allegations in December and referred them that day to the Medway Child Protection team and the police. | Mr Cooke, managing director of G4S children's services, told BBC Radio Kent he was informed of the allegations in December and referred them that day to the Medway Child Protection team and the police. |
| He said the BBC had referred to "staff hurting and inappropriately restraining young people, using foul and abusive language and failing to report... their actions". | He said the BBC had referred to "staff hurting and inappropriately restraining young people, using foul and abusive language and failing to report... their actions". |
| The seven members of staff, named in a Panorama document sent to Mr Cooke, were immediately suspended, he said. | The seven members of staff, named in a Panorama document sent to Mr Cooke, were immediately suspended, he said. |
| He said safeguarding had been stepped up at the centre while the investigation takes place. | He said safeguarding had been stepped up at the centre while the investigation takes place. |
| Among the allegations uncovered by Panorama and now subject to investigation are that Medway staff: | Among the allegations uncovered by Panorama and now subject to investigation are that Medway staff: |
| 'Troubled history' | 'Troubled history' |
| The BBC's Danny Shaw said G4S had a contract at another secure training centre - Rainsbrook in Northamptonshire - removed after a "very damning" inspection report. | The BBC's Danny Shaw said G4S had a contract at another secure training centre - Rainsbrook in Northamptonshire - removed after a "very damning" inspection report. |
| However, the contract to run Medway was renewed until 2021. | However, the contract to run Medway was renewed until 2021. |
| He added: "There's been a bit of a troubled history at Medway. It opened in 1998 and there was a riot just a couple of months after it opened. | He added: "There's been a bit of a troubled history at Medway. It opened in 1998 and there was a riot just a couple of months after it opened. |
| "It had a troubled beginning but I think it sort of settled down a bit in recent years. Clearly these allegations have painted it in a different light." | "It had a troubled beginning but I think it sort of settled down a bit in recent years. Clearly these allegations have painted it in a different light." |
| The Howard League, which campaigns for penal reform, tweeted the allegations were "extremely concerning", adding it had legal clients at the centre. | The Howard League, which campaigns for penal reform, tweeted the allegations were "extremely concerning", adding it had legal clients at the centre. |
| Tweeting in a personal capacity, its CEO Frances Crook said she was pleased Panorama had investigated abuse in G4S homes. | Tweeting in a personal capacity, its CEO Frances Crook said she was pleased Panorama had investigated abuse in G4S homes. |
| She added: "@TheHowardLeague has represented children who've had serious injuries in G4S secure children's homes. It demands public concern." | She added: "@TheHowardLeague has represented children who've had serious injuries in G4S secure children's homes. It demands public concern." |
| Kent Police said in a statement: "All necessary safeguarding measures have been taken and inquiries are ongoing." | Kent Police said in a statement: "All necessary safeguarding measures have been taken and inquiries are ongoing." |
| The Youth Justice Board said it had increased its monitoring of the centre and increased the presence of its independent advocacy service, delivered by Barnardo's. | The Youth Justice Board said it had increased its monitoring of the centre and increased the presence of its independent advocacy service, delivered by Barnardo's. |
| The Panorama programme Teenage Prison Abuse Exposed will be broadcast on Monday, 11 January on BBC One at 20:30 GMT. |