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G4S Medway young offenders centre staff suspended over abuse claims G4S Medway young offenders centre staff suspended over abuse claims
(about 1 hour later)
Seven staff members at a Kent young offenders centre have been suspended after filmed evidence of abuse was presented by the BBC.Seven staff members at a Kent young offenders centre have been suspended after filmed evidence of abuse was presented by the BBC.
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 - uncovered by Panorama - involve unnecessary force, foul language and a cover-up.The allegations - uncovered by Panorama - 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.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' The centre holds 56 children, mainly boys, aged 12 to 17. It is not allowed to take any more while the investigation takes place.
The centre holds 56 children, mainly boys, aged 12 to 17.
It is not allowed to take any more while the investigation takes place.
Mr Cook, managing director of G4S children's services, told BBC Radio Kent he was informed of the allegations on 30 December and referred them that day to the Medway Child Protection team and the police.Mr Cook, managing director of G4S children's services, told BBC Radio Kent he was informed of the allegations on 30 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".
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:
The seven members of staff, named in a Panorama document sent to Mr Cooke, were immediately suspended, he said. Mr Cook said the seven members of staff named in a Panorama document sent to him were immediately suspended.
He said safeguarding had been stepped up at the centre while the investigation takes place. Safeguarding had also been stepped up at the centre while the investigation takes place, he added.
'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.
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.
"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."
Analysis: The BBC's home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw
Medway had a troubled start. Within months of opening in 1998 there'd been a serious disturbance, security breaches and mass staff resignations.
In recent years conditions appeared to have settled down. An Ofsted inspection report in September 2014 rated Medway as "good with some outstanding features". Inspectors said the centre was "orderly" and "calm"; young people were said to feel safe.
The evidence gathered by Panorama seems to paint a different picture and will raise questions about G4S's suitability for looking after some of Britain's most troubled, vulnerable and violent teenagers after it was stripped of its contract for managing Rainsbrook secure training centre in Northamptonshire in 2015.
There are also questions for those who regularly monitor Medway - did they have any concerns and did they alert the authorities?
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.The Panorama programme Teenage Prison Abuse Exposed will be broadcast on Monday, 11 January on BBC One at 20:30 GMT.