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| G4S Medway unit: Government urged to act over abuse claims | G4S Medway unit: Government urged to act over abuse claims |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A series of measures needs to be put in place at a young offenders' unit after allegations staff assaulted teenage boys, the government has been urged. | A series of measures needs to be put in place at a young offenders' unit after allegations staff assaulted teenage boys, the government has been urged. |
| The recommendation came after a snap inspection of Medway Secure Training Centre on the day an undercover BBC Panorama investigation was aired. | |
| Chief Inspector of Prisons Nick Hardwick has called for a commissioner to be set up to oversee the unit. | |
| The Ministry of Justice has not yet commented. | The Ministry of Justice has not yet commented. |
| In a joint HM Inspectorate of Prisons and Ofsted report published, Mr Hardwick urges Justice Secretary Michael Gove to establish a commissioner to "provide increased oversight, scrutiny and challenge of managerial arrangements in particular in relation to the safeguarding of young people" at the centre in Rochester. | |
| "Managerial oversight failed to protect young people from harm," he said. | |
| 'Racist language' | |
| He also recommended body-worn cameras should be worn by staff who have regular contact with children at institutions holding youngsters and they should "be expected to record all use of force incidents". | |
| Inspectors said a small number of young inmates described staff using "insulting, aggressive or racist language" and also told them they felt "unsafe in areas not covered by CCTV". | |
| "The concerns raised with us by a small number of children are consistent with the evidence presented by the BBC investigation which showed targeted bullying of vulnerable boys by a small number of staff in addition to the conditioning of new staff," Mr Hardwick said. | |
| "There was also evidence in the BBC programme that a larger group of staff must have been aware of unacceptable practice but did not challenge or report this behaviour." | |
| He also detailed the high level of staff turnover, reportedly "in the region of 50% of the basic grade custody staff", but said inspectors were now satisfied "measures have been put in place to ensure appropriate staffing levels" at the unit. | |
| Extra independent oversight was also being provided by the Youth Justice Board and Barnardo's advocates, according to Mr Hardwick. | |
| Five arrests | Five arrests |
| The allegations uncovered by Panorama relate to 10 boys, aged 14 to 17, and involve unnecessary force, foul language and a cover-up. | The allegations uncovered by Panorama relate to 10 boys, aged 14 to 17, and involve unnecessary force, foul language and a cover-up. |
| Five men are currently on police bail. | Five men are currently on police bail. |
| Kent Police said four of the men were arrested on suspicion of child neglect. A fifth person was held on suspicion of assault. | Kent Police said four of the men were arrested on suspicion of child neglect. A fifth person was held on suspicion of assault. |
| Five members of staff at the 76-bed centre, which houses young inmates aged 12 to 18, have been sacked by G4S. | |
| Two other staff have been suspended pending further investigation, and another person removed from operational duty. |