Comments
Digital copy of Witness 140's first witness statement to the States of Jersey Police providing an account of his experiences in care, primarily with reference to his time at Haut de la Garenne and in foster care. Recorded by Police Constable J Entwistle. [Some details redacted].
| Reference | ZC/D/AW1/B1/2/2/9/WS000465 |
| Date | 4 August 2008 |
| Scope and Content | Background and Home Life Mentions his mother, father and sisters. Cites physical abuse by his father as reason for being taken into care, noting that he was told this information by mother in 2008. Institutions Includes references to his time at Haut de la Garenne, Grouville School and in foster care. Asserts to have lived at Haut de la Garenne on two separate occasions between 18 months and 7 years old and aged 9 for a short period, between foster placements. Includes recollections of the property at Haut de la Garenne, mentioning location of his dormitory and the dining hall, and security measures around the grounds of the premises. Includes recollections of daily routine at Haut de la Garenne, mentioning arrangements in respect of eating, bathing, washing, schooling, leisure and sleeping. Recalls both male and female staff washing and dressing residents at Haut de la Garenne and incidents of punishment in case of refusal. Recalls dormitory doors being locked throughout the night. Asserts to have no recollection of names of children or staff members during his period in residence at Haut de la Garenne. Describes violence amongst residents and adverse reaction to seeing one male staff member at Haut de la Garenne on television. Recalls running away from Haut de la Garenne to a nearby campsite on one occasion with another male resident whilst in solitary confinement before being returned to the Home by Police. Asserts to have no recollection of seeing a doctor or dentist, any building work occuring or any child deaths whilst in residence at Haut de la Garenne, nor awareness of the existence of cellars at the Home. Recalls several children disappearing from Haut de la Garenne whilst in residence, speculating whether they had been fostered. Also comments on what happened at Haut de la Garenne when a child lost a tooth. Describes fostering process at Haut de la Garenne, recalling feelings of elation upon being chosen by prospective foster parents to be taken out for the weekend. Describes being officially fostered by a couple after 6 or 7 weekends spent with them. Includes recollections of his foster parents and their children. Recalls moving to a house for 6 to 8 months following his [foster father]'s conviction before leaving to live with the family of a schoolfriend aged 15½. Children's Services Includes recollections of a man employed by the Welfare Department or Social Services. Recalls being taken back to Haut de la Garenne by a man from the Welfare Department following first foster placement. Recalls reporting sexual abuse by his [foster father] to his welfare officer only to be told that he was lying and that he would be returned to Haut de la Garenne if he said anything. Abuse and Consequences Gives details of physical and emotional abuse by staff at Haut de la Garenne issued out children as punishment for not following rules. Describes symptoms of physical abuse including bruising, recalling that the Headmaster at Grouville School noticed bruising on Witness 140. Notes that the Headmaster subsequently asked the minibus driver who transported residents at Haut de la Garenne to school what had happened to Witness 140, noting response of the minibus driver. Also recalls being afraid to tell other children about physical abuse by Haut de la Garenne staff in the fear that the abuse would continue or worsen. Recollections of being placed into solitary confinement on three or four occasions as punishment, mentioning rooms dedicated for this purpose. Includes descriptions of these rooms, describing facilities and utilities therein. Descriptions of neglect by staff whilst in solitary confinement. Refers to use of corporal punishment by staff at Haut de la Garenne but asserts to have never been subjected to such punishment whilst in residence. Recalls seing a member of staff carrying a slipper but never actually witnessed corporal punishment. Describes being sexually abused by his [foster father] regularly over a 4 or 5 year period between the ages of 10 and 14. Recalls sharing a room with his [foster brother] and that he would often be in the room at the same time as the abuse was taking place. Describes learning that his [foster father] had also abused another individual, which ultimately led to his [foster father's] arrest and conviction. Statement finishes with reflection on time at Haut de la Garenne, describing it is a prison rather than a home, and explaning impact of his time there on his social life. |
| Names | Entwistle, James, Police Constable Children's Services Education Department Grouville School Haut de la Garenne Operation Rectangle States of Jersey Police Social Services |
| Keywords | abuse | arrests | bedrooms | caning | child abuse | childcare | Children | children's homes | Child Care Officers | children's services | complaints | convictions | corporal punishment | detention | detention rooms | discipline | dormitories | emotional abuse | evidence | fostering | foster fathers | foster homes | foster parents | investigations | punishments | physical abuse | Police | Police Constables | Schools | sexual abuse | solitary confinement | statements | witness statements | witnesses |
| Places | Haut de la Garenne |
| Dimensions | 1 pdf file |
| Language | English |
| Level of description | File |
| Access restrictions | Closed for preservation - please consult digital copy |
Context:
Digital copy of Witness 140's first witness statement to the States of Jersey Police providing an account of his experiences in care, primarily with reference to his time at Haut de la Garenne and in foster care. Recorded by Police Constable J Entwistle. [Some details redacted].
ZC/D/AW1/B1/2/2/9/WS000465
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