Comments
Digital copy of Exhibit KM5: Witness Statement of a former resident of Les Chênes and Greenfields to the States of Jersey Police providing an account of his experiences in care. Signatured witnessed by A Harries. [Some details redacted].
Used as evidence in relation to Kevin Mansell's Witness Statement to the Inquiry dated 17 June 2015 [ZC/D/AW2/B3/23/WS000599].
| Reference | ZC/D/AW2/A7/30/WD006488/5 |
| Date | 20 October 2008 |
| Scope and Content | Background and Home Life Describes early life at home with his parents at home in St Helier. Refers to mother's alcoholism and mother's desertion in 1989, noting that his parents divorced the same year with his father assuming responsibility for caring for him. Institutions Includes references to his time in care at Les Chênes and Greenfields. Describes being arrested for committing an offence with another boy in 2001 and subsequently being sent to Les Chênes for a period of 2 years when he was aged 12. Includes recollections of his first day at Les Chênes, recalling that he was informed of the rules before being strip-searched, showered, provided with clothing and placed in a detention cell for 24 hours, describing this as standard procedure. Includes descriptions of the detention cells including size, facilities and provision therein. Includes recollections of other children at Les Chênes, recalling that older boys would bully residents when no staff were present during staff meetings. Also includes recollections of staff, including those he liked and disliked. Describes the daily routine at Les Chênes, provides an estimate of the number of children in residence and recalls sleeping arrangements for residents. Describes the points system [Merit Award System] in operation at Les Chênes. Recalls how the system operated and provides examples of how it affected him in practice. Recalls that refusal to do what a member of staff asked would result in placement in secure for a period of 3 or 4 days. Describes remaining at Les Chênes and later Greenfields until 2004, due to frequent abscondence and involvement in further trouble. Recalls that a member of staff trained all staff in restraint techniques. Includes a description of the technique, recalling that restraint was commonplace. Recalls a major incident in around 2004 when he locked himself in his room and broke everything therein, referring to involvement of police. Notes that during the incident he self-harmed and was taken to hospital for treatment. Abuse and Consequences Recalls two incidents of inappropriate behaviour by two members of staff. Recalls that the first incident happened between 2002 and 2003, stating that he was physically abused by a staff member whilst in secure. Describes a second incident where he was physically abused by another member of staff in the presence of a supply teacher when he aged 14. States that he was informed that the supply teacher complained to the police about the staff member's behaviour and actions but that he did not pursue the complaint due to still being at Les Chênes. Recalls multiple incidents of being restrained by staff, including in a car after absconding, and references to other residents being restrained by staff. States to have never been physically abusive towards staff but admits to having been verbally abusive. Describes incident in 2004 when he and two other residents were kept in secure for a period of up to 9 months, stating that he complained about this solitary confinement to his father who in turn complained to the authorities but that this came to nothing. Events since leaving Care Describes living situation over the previous 4 years. Describes hearing about the police inquiry from a friend and via news reports. States to have spoken to [another former resident] about Les Chênes to ask about his complaint and outlines level of information he disclosed to [an individual] who asked him about his time at Les Chênes. |
| Names | Mansell, Kevin Children's Services Greenfields Centre Les Chênes Residential School Operation Rectangle States of Jersey Police |
| Keywords | abuse | alcoholism | allegations | child abuse | childcare | Children | children's homes | children's services | complaints | detention cells | detention | evidence | exhibits | Hospitals | IJCI | interviews | Merit Award System | offences | physical abuse | Police | punishments | remand | restraint | Schools | secure units | self harm | solitary confinement | staff | statements | violence | witness statements | witnesses |
| Places | Greenfields, Les Chênes, Five Oaks, St Helier |
| Dimensions | 1 pdf file |
| Language | English |
| Level of description | File |
| Access restrictions | PDF file - please click on the link to download |
| Closed until | 2100 |