Eastwood Park Detention Centre: compensation scheme for abuse survivors
By Caroline Chandler, Rob Casey
It has been confirmed that the Eastwood Park Detention Centre Compensation Scheme is shortly due to commence following a meeting held with the Ministry of Justice. Compensation will be paid to ex-detainees who were physically abused / assaulted whilst serving their sentence.
Categories of compensation will include:
- A category for those who served 3 months or less.
- A category for those who served over 3 months.
- A category for individuals who have sustained a lasting physical or psychological injury as a direct result of their treatment at Eastwood Park.
Awards of compensation range between £3,000.00 and £9,500.00
Eastwood Park Detention Centre in South Gloucestershire was opened in 1964 and closed in 1995 and accommodated boys from the ages of 14-17.
Former detention centre officer, Patrick Devaney has been convicted of offences against detainees. He was not alone in the abuse of young boys. Sadly other offices had passed away or were not fit to stand trial and so could not be prosecuted.
The compensation scheme is open to anyone who attended there and was physically assaulted.
We are also aware of complaints of sexual abuse which will be dealt with by civil litigation. The Ministry of Justice have set up a dedicated team and have assured us that these will be dealt with quickly.
Those affected will receive 100% of any award made under the scheme and will not have to pay any costs to legal teams for work undertaken on their behalf.
Our abuse claim specialists Caroline Chandler and Rob Casey have extensive experience of assisting people who have experienced abuse in institutional settings and have represented many clients who have made successful claims under similar schemes, including Medomsley Detention Centre. Our experienced and expert approach will allow us to sensitively and efficiently progress your claim and secure you compensation and an apology from the Ministry of Justice.
We invite anyone who was detained at Eastwood Park Detention Centre and suffered abuse to contact us to find out how we can help you.
Call us on 0800 138 0458 or email help@switalskis.com.
Caroline has worked in the legal sector for 23 years. She is a Solicitor in our Child Abuse Compensation department.
Rob is an experienced Child Abuse Compensation specialist and a Director of Switalskis. He is based at our Wakefield office.
