Police are awaiting a decision on whether to charge seven officers of a "torture camp" detention centre.
Hundreds of boys as young as 14 were subjected to horrific prison officer attacks at Kirklevington Detention Centre between the 1960s and 1990s.
But despite 21 suspects being interviewed as part of Cleveland Police’s Operation Magnolia since 2014, not one abuser has been brought to justice.
Earlier this year, The Northern Echo revealed that seven former prison officers under investigation by police over attacks at the Yarm “hell hole” are now dead.
We can now reveal that the force is currently awaiting a decision from the Crown Prosecution Service on whether it can charge seven former officers in connection with the abuse.
A total of ten files have been sent to the CPS as part of Operation Magnolia, seven of which relate to officers who are still alive.
Victims of the scandal say they continue to feel forgotten over the 12-year-long police probe, saying they feel that justice is slipping away as more and more officers die.
Earlier this year, the Echo called for police to urgently prioritise the probe as victims continue to fear they will never see an officer dragged before the courts to answer for their actions.
We also called for a settlement scheme, where victims can claim compensation and receive a formal apology, while avoiding complex legal proceedings.
HMP Kirklevington
(Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)
While nobody has ever been charged over the abuse, the Echo exposed “barbaric” prison officer Douglas Harrison as the officer who was due to be charged with misconduct in a public office and numerous assaults days before his death in 2019.
Harrison had been reported to police by 273 victims as of May - but, as of June 10, this number had since risen to 301.
Douglas Harrison and HMP Kirklevington
(Image: unknown)
Last month, The Northern Echo called on new Prime Minister Andy Burnham to compensate Kirklevington victims of as part of our six-point ‘manifesto for the North’.
Cleveland Police said it is continuing to pursue all reasonable lines of enquiry despite the death of one third of suspects interviewed as part of the probe.
Senior Investigating Officer, DCI Steve Chattertron, said: "I wholeheartedly understand the length of time this investigation has taken prolongs the trauma, frustration and upset for victims and survivors.
"We also recognise the acute impacts on victims resulting from the death of suspects identified as part of enquiries, which means many victims will never see justice.
“Victim and survivor care and support remain at the heart of everything we do. We encourage anyone affected to continue engaging with their appointed support services, and we are committed to keeping victims and survivors informed as the investigation progresses.”
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"Cleveland Police continues to pursue all reasonable lines of enquiry and continues to work closely with the CPS".
Kirklevington Detention Centre was operated by the Home Office - now the Ministry of Justice - and housed boys aged 14-17 sentenced to between three weeks and four months' detention.
It changed to an adult male resettlement prison, as it is known today, in 1992.
Anyone who suffered abuse at Kirklevington Detention Centre can report this to Cleveland Police. Victims can also contact Oakwood Solicitors for advice on legal claims.