Seven prison officers under investigation for “attacking” hundreds at a detention centre dubbed “Guantanamo Bay for kids” have died, The Northern Echo can reveal.
Boys as young as 14 were subject to a “constant regime of abuse” behind the bars of Kirklevington Detention Centre, in Yarm, between the 1960s and 1990s.
The institution, now HMP Kirklevington, is now the centre of a scandal after police were hit with almost 1,000 complaints of historic abuse.
But despite 21 suspects being interviewed by Cleveland Police over its 12-year investigation, not one abuser has been dragged before the courts to answer for their actions.
"Forgotten” victims feel justice is slipping through their fingers after decades of living with trauma, as more and more officers die in what has been described as a "cruel twist to life".
And today, the Echo can exclusively reveal that seven of those 21 suspects have died before any charges could be brought before them.
This includes the "sadistic" Douglas Harrison, who the Echo last month exposed as one of the “barbaric” prison officers believed to have abused hundreds of children at the institution.
Cleveland Police said it understands that the length of the probe "prolongs the trauma, frustration, and upset for victims" - saying support "remains at the heart of everything we do".
Senior Investigating Officer DCI Chatterton said the force continues to pursue all reasonable lines of enquiry and continues to work closely with the Crown Prosecution Service.
‘They don’t just deserve a slap on the hand’
Stephen Firth, who was sent to Kirklevington for six months in 1972, said his time there “put him on the road to hell” and even made him feel suicidal in later life.
The 69-year-old argued that the seven officers who have now died have been handed “freedom” by passing away: “That is a cruel twist to life.
“The worst part for any victim is that when the perpetrator dies, the victim still has the memories to live with. The officers have escaped by dying.”
The dad-of-four said he feels like the victims are the “forgotten boys” as the police probe continues: “A lot of people say they are waiting for them to die.
“I can’t understand why it has taken 12 years."
Cleveland Police said it is continuing to pursue all reasonable lines of enquiry despite the death of one third of suspects interviewed as part of the probe.
Last month, Douglas Harrison became the first former prison officer under investigation for historic abuse to be named publicly following an Echo investigation.
Harrison - who died in 2019 - had been reported by 273 victims to police and was set to be charged with misconduct in a public office and numerous assaults days before his death.
These charges were in relation to 18 victims.
Paul Grubb, 70, who spent two months in Kirklevington in 1972 when he was 16, argued that “somebody needs to pay and needs to go to prison” for the abuse.
The Sheffield grandad said: “Police have known about this for years and years but it has all just been swept under the carpet.
“They are just dragging it out, the longer it goes on the more inmates will die and the more officers will die. Many of them were 20 years older than me.
“They don’t just deserve a slap on the hand.”
Another victim, who wished to remain anonymous, said he feels that victims remain “in limbo” as they wait for updates on the probe.
The 60-year-old grandad - who heartbreakingly admitted he used to wake up so fearful that he was "disappointed not to die in his sleep” when there - fears he will never get justice.
“It is no shock that [officers] are dying”, he explained. “They are not immortal. And the others are going to start passing away.
“We are all in our 60s now and the officers are 20 or 30 years older than us. I believe they are purposefully dragging it out.
“I don’t feel like I will ever get justice - the [officers] are getting older and older. I think we should be prepared for nothing to come of this.”
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.
Read more
Police 'committed to improving communication' with 'torture camp' abuse victims
Scared boys at 'torture camp' would 'lie to doctors about injuries over attack fears'
'Sadistic prison officer thrived on attacks - it took me 30 years to talk about it'
"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.
If you are in need of support you can contact the following:
- Samaritans are here to listen – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org.
- If U Care Share on 0191 387 5661 or text IUCS to 85258
- SANE on 07984 967 708, Calm on 0800 58 58 58
Share