Eastwood Park: The Story So Far

At Jordans Solicitors, we have been working for a number of years for many clients seeking compensation and justice for the abuse that they endured whilst in Eastwood Park. So what is Eastwood Park, and where are we at with it now?

HMP Eastwood Park is currently a women’s closed category prison located in South Gloucestershire, England. It was originally opened as a male juvenile Detention Centre, then became a Young Offenders Institution. It was then converted into a women’s prison in March 1996.

Unfortunately, during the 1970’s and 1980’s many of the male teenage inmates at Eastwood Park were subjected to abuse by the Prison Officers and other employees. Over the last few years, previous inmates have come forward and contacted us and the police reporting the abuse that occurred. At present, we have over 100 clients who have bravely got in touch with us and informed us of the abuse that they endured whilst at Eastwood Park.

We supported our clients whilst the police conducted their investigations into the abuse. Eventually a criminal trial was held in February 2023, where the Prison Officer Patrick Devaney was convicted of misconduct in public office as a result of the abuse he inflicted upon the inmates at Eastwood Park. Due to Devaney’s poor health he was not sentenced until September 2023. Devaney then received a custodial sentence for 21 months, with a further 21 months on licence with conditions.

Following a successful conviction of Devaney, we have been in discussions with the Government Legal Department, who represent the Ministry of Justice, about them providing compensation to the survivors of the abuse at Eastwood Park. The Government Legal Department have recently confirmed to us that there will be a redress scheme to compensate the survivors, which they hope to implement as soon as possible.