Eastwood Park Compensation Scheme Extended Until July 2027
The Ministry of Justice has confirmed that the Eastwood Park Settlement Scheme will be extended until 14th July 2027.
This will allow anyone who is considering making a claim, but has not yet done so, the opportunity to apply for compensation and a letter of acknowledgement from the Ministry of Justice.
To be eligible to claim, an individual must have spent time in detention at Eastwood Park and allege physical abuse. Those who also experienced sexual abuse may have these allegations considered under the Scheme.
What was Eastwood Park?
Eastwood Park, in Gloucestershire, operated as a Detention Centre between 1964 and 1989 and as a Young Offenders Institution until 1995. Most boys who went to Eastwood Park were aged between 14 and 17 years old.
Detention Centres operated under a ‘short sharp shock’ policy which was designed to deter young boys from ever offending again. However, it has become increasingly clear in the years since Eastwood Park’s closure that some officers took this policy to the extreme, enacting regular abuse and violence against the boys under their care.
In 2023, former officer Patrick Devaney, who worked in the gym at Eastwood Park between 1970 and 1983, was convicted of misconduct in a public office in relation to his treatment of detainees.
What compensation is available?
In addition to the letter of acknowledgement, the compensation offered by the Ministry of Justice ranges from £3,000 - £9,500 and is broken down into three ‘Categories’:
- Those who were detained in Eastwood Park for up to three months and experienced physical abuse.
- Those who were detained in Eastwood Park for more than three months and experienced physical abuse and/or those who experienced both physical and sexual abuse.
- Those who can show, through medical evidence, that they sustained a lasting physical or psychological injury as a direct result of their treatment at Eastwood Park.
Any compensation received under the Scheme goes directly to successful claimants. The Ministry of Justice has agreed to the separate payment of the legal fees incurred by making the claim, meaning no costs are deducted from compensation awarded.
I think I might be eligible to claim – what should I do?
We can assist in obtaining the evidence needed to make a claim and can guide you through the claims process.
Our team already acts for a large number of claimants under the scheme and have experience representing individuals in claims against the Ministry of Justice.
If you would like to get in touch, we offer confidential consultations where you are welcome to discuss your experience. We will then advise you of your eligibility to make a claim and discuss the options open to you.
Our specialist team can be contacted by telephoning 08009 555094 or 03303 001103.
