Over 200 People Have Made Allegations of Physical Abuse

Expert abuse lawyers at national law firm Irwin Mitchell have voiced their concerns over the extent of serious abuse allegations as 222 former inmates from a Teeside prison come forward to claim they were abused as teenagers.

The allegations of abuse are dated back to when Kirklevington prison operated as a mixed remand centre between the 1960s to the 1990s. Cleveland police are investigating the allegations.

In February 2016, The Gazette newspaper reported allegations of abuse from 70 inmates, yet this figure has now risen to 222 people contacting Cleveland Police.

One former prisoner came forward and spoke to the BBC’s Inside Out programme and said he was “dragged out of the van by his hair, thrown up the wall, thrown into a cold bath, smashed against the wall and told he must memorise all of the rules.”

Five police forces across the north are investigating the historic allegations of abuse, in at least 11 institutions, including Kirklevington.

Specialist abuse lawyers at Irwin Mitchell represent a number of individuals who have reported physical and sexual abuse at Kirklevington. Emma Crowther, an expert abuse lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said:

Expert Opinion

“Allegations of physical and sexual abuse are extremely serious and it is very concerning to hear these allegations of abuse over such a long period of time at Kirklevington.

“It is reassuring to see that police forces across the north are investigating the claims thoroughly. Coming forward to talk about abuse of any nature can be extremely difficult for survivors and it is important that those who have done so are able to access the help and support they may need to deal with the long-term impact of abuse.

“It is promising to see that so many survivors have come forward since February and we encourage others to do so if they have suffered similar abuse to ensure that justice can be sought.”
Emma Crowther - Senior Associate Solicitor