Medomsley Detention Centre Play: “Bad Lads”

Jane Matthews, Head of Abuse Claims, 7.11.25

Last night I was part of the audience, watching the new play “Bad Lads”. This is a play that has been 5 years in the making and I have helped and supported where I could. I remember attending one of the workshops back in September 2021.

At Jordans I was the Solicitor who represented former detainees for the physical and sexual abuse they suffered during their period of detention. I got to know many of my clients very well and admired their bravery and courage in coming forward and disclosing their experiences as part of Operation Seabrook.

I witnessed their disappointment at not being included in the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), despite Jordans and other Solicitors representations, because Medomsley was for detainees between the age of 17 to 21 years old and therefore could not form part of an investigation into “child sexual abuse”. This was despite all the evidence that boys as young as 15 years were sent there.

The play is harrowing and tells the true story of what happened to boys held at Medomsley Detention Centre and how their experiences affected the rest of the lives. The fear that they experienced is real, the sexual abuse they suffered by Officers, particularly the Officer and Chef Neville Husband distressing and shocking and the physical beatings that they endured and witnessed every day is terrible to hear. As is, how everyone turned a “blind eye” to what was happening.

The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman report is due to publish its report into Medomsley Detention centre on the 13th November 2025. The report is expected to highlight the failings of the police and prison service and address how Neville Husband was able to abuse detainees for decades and how the physical abuse by Officers was allowed to continue under successive Governors.

The play demands justice and accountability for men who were sent to Medomsley, which to this day they are still waiting for.

The play runs until the 15th November 2025 and I would urge people to go and see it.

Bad Lads

Bad Lads is a new play written by Mike Kenny created from a story by Jimmy Coffey and the testimonies of the other Medomsley boys. Directed by Jenny Sealey.

Theatre showings runs until 15th November at Derby, Warwick and Stockton. For more information and for tickets see https://graeae.org/event/bad-lads/

For more information about the show, see the digital programme: https://graeae.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Bad-Lads-programme.pdf