The 'Short, Sharp Shock' That Became a Nightmare
For thousands of young men, a sentence to Medomsley Detention Centre in County Durham marked the beginning of a sustained nightmare of brutal abuse. A devastating 202-page report by the Prison and Probation Ombudsman, Adrian Usher, published on Wednesday 12 November 2025, has laid bare the horrific reality of life inside the facility, which operated from 1961 to 1987.
The ordeal for these low-level offenders, aged 17 to 21, often began the moment they arrived at the gates. Many were greeted with a punch for failing to address an officer as "sir". This was just a precursor to a regime of relentless beatings, humiliation, and punishing physical drills, all under the guise of a Thatcher-era "short, sharp shock" policy for crimes like shoplifting or non-payment of fines.
A Desperate Bid for Survival
The physical and psychological torment was so severe that inmates resorted to extreme measures in desperate attempts to be transferred to hospital. The report contains harrowing first-hand accounts of young men breaking their own bones, swallowing razor blades, drinking Brasso, and eating glass and nails.
One survivor recounted: "I saw inmates eat glass and nails, break a razor and swallow the blades, anything to try and get out of [Medomsley] and into hospital." Another described witnessing a fellow inmate deliberately jump from a bunk to smash another's leg, hearing the bone break. Even those who were ill were not spared, with reports of painkillers being taped to their foreheads and them being forced to run until the pill dissolved.
Systematic Abuse by Those in Power
The abuse was systematic and perpetrated by the very staff tasked with safeguarding the young men. The report details how officers would administer brutal punishments for the slightest perceived infraction. "Bunny hops" – hopping naked in a crouched position while being kicked and mocked – were used as a routine form of humiliation.
One man described being punched in the kidneys, then having his hand stamped on, breaking his fingers. Racist and homophobic abuse was also rampant. Meanwhile, in the kitchens, serial sexual predator Neville Husband, described as the "worst sex offender in history," raped and molested hundreds of young men, targeting two or three victims a day.
Government Apology and New Safeguards
In response to the damning findings, the government has issued a formal apology. Jake Richards, the minister for youth justice, stated: "To the men who suffered such horrific abuse at Medomsley, I want to say again – I am truly sorry. The failings set out in today’s report are truly harrowing, and we must ensure nothing like this ever happens again."
Alongside the apology, the government announced the creation of a new Youth Custody Safeguarding Panel. This body will review complaints processes, enhance staff training, and ensure the voices of children in custody are heard, aiming to prevent such systemic failures from ever recurring.
