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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| G4S Medway centre: Government to take over young offenders' unit | G4S Medway centre: Government to take over young offenders' unit |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The Ministry of Justice is to take over the running of a Kent young offenders' unit which was at the centre of claims that staff assaulted children. | The Ministry of Justice is to take over the running of a Kent young offenders' unit which was at the centre of claims that staff assaulted children. |
| The BBC understands the government will take over the Medway Secure Training Centre, which was run by G4S. | The BBC understands the government will take over the Medway Secure Training Centre, which was run by G4S. |
| A source said a report, commissioned by ministers to examine improvements at the centre in Rochester, would make "uncomfortable" reading for the firm. | A source said a report, commissioned by ministers to examine improvements at the centre in Rochester, would make "uncomfortable" reading for the firm. |
| The government said it was looking at options. G4S has declined to comment. | |
| Police began investigating staff after the BBC's Panorama programme in January revealed assault claims at the unit. | Police began investigating staff after the BBC's Panorama programme in January revealed assault claims at the unit. |
| Four men were arrested on suspicion of child neglect while a fifth was held on suspicion of assault. | Four men were arrested on suspicion of child neglect while a fifth was held on suspicion of assault. |
| All have been released on police bail. | All have been released on police bail. |
| The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) will start operating the centre through its National Offender Management Service (Noms) by the end of July, according to the source. | |
| A new director is expected to be appointed, but staff at Medway are likely to transfer to Noms. | A new director is expected to be appointed, but staff at Medway are likely to transfer to Noms. |
| It will be the first time the government has run a secure training centre. | |
| An MoJ spokesman said it would announce the next steps in due course. | |
| He said: "Our priority will always be the safety and welfare of young people in custody - that is why the Justice Secretary set up an Independent Improvement Board to examine the running of Medway STC. | |
| "This sits alongside a wider review of youth justice." | |
| The Panorama programme included footage apparently showing staff mistreating and abusing inmates. | The Panorama programme included footage apparently showing staff mistreating and abusing inmates. |
| Allegations relating to 10 boys, aged 14 to 17, included use of unnecessary force, foul language and a cover-up at the centre. | Allegations relating to 10 boys, aged 14 to 17, included use of unnecessary force, foul language and a cover-up at the centre. |
| Five members of staff were sacked and three more suspended, while the unit's director, Ralph Marchant, stood down. | Five members of staff were sacked and three more suspended, while the unit's director, Ralph Marchant, stood down. |
| The unit takes youths aged 12 to 17 both on remand and after conviction. | |
| In April, it emerged further allegations had been made by a young person who had been placed at the centre since the documentary was aired. | In April, it emerged further allegations had been made by a young person who had been placed at the centre since the documentary was aired. |