Statement on G4S selling its children’s services business

Speaking in reaction to the news that G4S has commenced a process to sell its UK children’s services business, Andrew Neilson, Director of Campaigns at the Howard League for Penal Reform, said today (Friday 26 February):

“We welcome this news from G4S, as the company’s sale would include the management of two secure training centres at Medway and Oakhill. These child jails have been the focus of much controversy, not least the recent BBC Panorama documentary into abuse by staff at Medway.There is now an opportunity developing to close the secure training centres down completely. These centres are a failed model and this wise withdrawal from the market by G4S should not be followed up new private security companies coming in to replace them, with dubious track records abroad in the treatment of people in custody.

Notes to editors

1. The Howard League for Penal Reform is the oldest penal reform charity in the world. It is a national charity working for less crime, safer communities and fewer people in prison.

Contact

Andrew Neilson
Director of Campaigns
Tel: +44 (0)20 7241 7880
Mobile: +44 (0)7918 681094
Email: andrew.neilson@howardleague.org

ISDN line available on 020 7923 4196 – uses a G722 system

For enquiries outside normal office hours, please call +44 (0)7918 681094.