Echo calls for compensation for Kirklevington abuse victims

Boys as young as 14 were subject to a “daily brutality” behind the bars of the Yarm institution – dubbed “Guantanamo Bay for kids” – between the 1960s and 1990s. 

Almost 1,000 complaints of historic abuse have been made to Cleveland Police – but despite 21 suspects being interviewed, not one former officer has been brought to justice. 

“Forgotten” victims have waited decades for someone to be held to account but fear justice is slipping away, with seven former officers under investigation now dead. 

This week, The Northern Echo called on new Prime Minister Andy Burnham to compensate victims of the “torture camp” as part of our six-point ‘manifesto for the North’. 

It follows the Echo’s calls earlier this year for a settlement scheme, where victims can claim compensation and receive a formal apology, while avoiding complex legal proceedings. 

HMP Kirklevington in Yarm (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

Mark Armstrong, who was sent to Kirklevington at 14-years-old in 1980, believes that many victims would choose convictions over compensation. 

But he said for those who were attacked by officers who have already died, compensation remains very important as the 12-year police probe continues. 

Mark Armstrong (Image: CONTRIBUTOR)

“I believe that compensation for victims is still important, especially for the victims whose suspects are dead,” the dad-of-six explained. 

“This would be the only form of justice that they would receive.  

“After speaking with victims for more than five years, I do know that, given the choice of convictions or compensation, convictions would win in most instances. 

“I do support The Northern Echo’s call for victims to be compensated, especially in cases where the offender is dead. 

“For example, one officer had more than 300 victims make allegations against him. 

“[Those victims] will never see justice through the courts so compensation may be the only form of justice they will ever receive.” 

The now-62-year-old, who also has six grandchildren and one great-grandchild, said that the death of seven suspects meant many victims will “never see justice done”. 

Nigel Smith, who was 16 during his time at Kirklevington in 1984, also backed a compensation scheme for victims – but said it wasn’t just about money.

Nigel Smith, who was 16 during his time at Kirklevington in 1984 (Image: CONTRIBUTOR)

“I lost three years of my life because of Kirklevington,” the 58-year-old said. “Eight months after I left, I had a nervous breakdown. I spent eight weeks in a psychiatric ward.

“It is not about the money – but if someone said here is £40k, I would put my hands up and walk away. [Some of] the screws were evil, but you aren’t going to get anywhere convicting old men. 

“Compensation is the way forward. We have got to wake up.”

‘Forgotten’ victims’ fight for justice

Last month, it was revealed that seven suspects under investigation for abuse at the site, now called HMP Kirklevington, were dead. 

Seven prison officers under investigation for abuse at Kirklevington Detention Centre are dead (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

One of these officers was the “sadistic” Douglas Harrison, who the Echo exposed in May as one of the officers believed to have abused hundreds of children behind bars.

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 Steve Chatterton said: “I wholeheartedly understand the length of time this investigation has taken prolongs the trauma, frustration and upset for victims and survivors. 

HMP Kirklevington in Yarm (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

“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.