Family Claims Detention Center Death Was Murder

David Caldwell, who was 18 when sentenced for minor theft offences in 1981, may have died from foul play at Medomsley detention centre. His sister, Carol Kyle, stated there was clear evidence of strangulation, noting significant bruising on his neck and arms. She also revealed an inmate informed her that David had been assaulted by staff shortly before his death.

An official report indicated David was examined upon arrival and found to be healthy. However, during a visit, his sister observed bruising on his face and legs, which David attributed to 'the screws' for not complying. His death on January 12, 1982, less than a month after arrival, was officially attributed to respiratory failure from an asthma attack, a conclusion his family disputes.

Although the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman acknowledged that allegations of staff-related injuries were not properly investigated at the time, the 1982 inquest concluded his death was natural. The center has since been implicated in a major abuse scandal, with five officers convicted of abuse in 2019, adding further weight to the family's fight for justice.