Kirklevington abuse - MPs back Echo's calls for justice and answers

That's the message from politicians as they back The Northern Echo's calls for police to prioritise its probe into "harrowing" abuse at Kirklevington Detention Centre and compensate "forgotten" victims of the scandal.

Hundreds of boys as young as 14 were subject to decades of prison officer attacks at the Yarm "torture camp" between the 1960s and 1990s. 

But despite 21 suspects being interviewed as part of Cleveland Police’s Operation Magnolia since 2014, not one abuser has been dragged before the courts to answer for their actions. 

Today, the Echo has revealed that seven of the 21 suspects under investigation over attacks at the Yarm “hell hole” are now dead, with fears more could die before justice is served.

The "forgotten” victims, who have spent decades waiting for someone to be held responsible for their trauma, feel their attackers have "escaped by dying" in a "cruel twist to life".

One of these former officers was “barbaric” Douglas Harrison, who we exposed as the man believed to have abused hundreds before dying before he could be charged. 

Today, MPs are joining the Echo’s calls for police to urgently prioritise its investigation so victims know those responsible, who have not already died, are held to account.

HMP Kirklevington in Yarm (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

The Echo is also calling for police to increase transparency with victims - and wants a settlement scheme set up so survivors can claim compensation for their abuse. 

Cleveland Police said it understands the length of the probe "prolongs the trauma, frustration, and upset for victims" - saying victim support "remains at the heart of everything we do". 

Victims have previously told the Echo how they feel like police are “waiting for the suspects to die” and feel “forgotten” as the probe continues with no convictions. 

Matt Vickers, MP for Stockton West, said the investigation “must be treated as an urgent priority and should be given the resources that it needs”.

Matt Vickers (Image: CONTRIBUTOR)

He said: “Victims deserve a full apology for the decades of trauma they have endured. The prolonged investigation has compounded their suffering and uncertainty. 

“It must now proceed proactively and without further delay, so that victims can have confidence that the horrific abuse they experienced will be properly investigated and that those responsible will be held to account.”

'Any delay in justice is simply unnacceptable'

Durham MP Mary Kelly Foy said it is "completely understandable” that victims feel let down by the time of the investigation and backed the Echo’s calls. 

Mary Kelly Foy (Image: House of Commons/PA Wire)

She said: “The accounts of historic abuse at Kirklevington Detention Centre are deeply distressing, and my heart goes out to all the victims who have carried the weight of this trauma for decades. 

“It's completely understandable that survivors feel let down by the length of time this investigation has taken, and I fully support The Northern Echo’s campaign for greater transparency and urgency, as well as the call for a fair settlement and apology scheme similar to that for Medomsley survivors. 

HMP Kirklevington in Yarm (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

“Any delay in justice for abuse survivors is simply unacceptable, and it is long past time that these victims' voices were heard.” 

Hartlepool MP Jonathan Brash said the scale of the abuse was “horrifying” and that it was “simply unacceptable” for victims that no one had been held accountable. 

Jonathan Brash MP (Image: LDRS)

He said: “My thoughts are with every survivor who has carried the trauma of what happened to them for so many years. 

“They deserve justice, they deserve answers, and above all they deserve to know that they have not been forgotten. 

“I support calls for Cleveland Police to urgently prioritise this investigation, provide the resources necessary to bring it to a conclusion, and ensure victims are kept informed every step of the way. 

“As time passes, suspects, witnesses and victims are getting older, and opportunities for justice are being lost forever. 

“I also support the creation of a compensation and apology scheme for survivors, similar to that established for victims of abuse at Medomsley. 

“The people who endured this abuse as children have waited long enough. They deserve truth, accountability and justice.”

Darlington MP Lola McEvoy also said the abuse was “harrowing” and “needs to be fully investigated. 

Labour's Darlington MP Lola McEvoy (Image: STUART BOULTON)

She said: “If anybody in the Darlington constituency has been a victim, I would encourage them to contact my office as I would be happy to help them with their case."

Meanwhile Redcar MP Anna Turley added: “These allegations are horrendous and the victims' voices must be heard. 

Anna Turley (Image: PA)

“It is never too late for justice to be done. I commend all those who have fought so hard. We need the truth and we need justice.”

Ms Turley, as well as Middlesbrough and Thornaby East MP Andy McDonald, both said they would be willing to meet with victims of the scandal.

'Victim and survivor care and support remain at the heart of everything we do'

Senior Investigating Officer DCI Chatterton, said: "I wholeheartedly understand the length of time this investigation has taken prolongs the trauma, frustration and upset for victims and survivors. 

"We also recognise the acute impacts on victims resulting from the death of suspects identified as part of enquiries, which means many victims will never see justice.

"Victim and survivor care and support remain at the heart of everything we do. We encourage anyone affected to continue engaging with their appointed support services, and we are committed to keeping victims and survivors informed as the investigation progresses.”

"Cleveland Police continues to pursue all reasonable lines of enquiry and continues to work closely with the CPS". 

Kirklevington Detention Centre was operated by the Home Office - now the Ministry of Justice - and housed boys aged 14-17 sentenced to between three weeks and four months' detention. 

It changed to an adult male resettlement prison, as it is known today, in 1992. 

Anyone who suffered abuse at Kirklevington Detention Centre can report this to Cleveland Police. Victims can also contact Oakwood Solicitors for advice on legal claims.