Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.
In a surprising turn of events, all young offenders are set to be relocated from England’s inaugural “secure school” due to safety issues. The decision comes as a result of concerns over the structural integrity of Oasis Restore in Kent, which was established with the intention of steering children and adolescents away from gang activity and knife-related crimes. This initiative, which was initiated in 2024 following a hefty £40m refurbishment, is now undergoing scrutiny due to faults in its design that render its doors susceptible to damage.
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ), the overseeing body responsible for the establishment, has acknowledged the pressing need to address the vulnerabilities at the Rochester site. Reverend Steve Chalke, the founder of Oasis, expressed his pride in the achievements of the facility while appearing on BBC Radio 4’s Today program. Despite the favorable progress made by the school, Chalke lamented the necessity of their recent decision to close its doors in light of the safety hazards posed by malfunctioning entryways.
Chalke emphasized the organization’s profound dedication to the well-being of the children under their care, underscoring the need for a temporary closure to ensure their safety as well as that of the staff. Oasis Restore was envisioned as a pioneering venture in youth justice, providing personalized support and vocational training such as culinary arts and barbering to young offenders. Although the closure may be disheartening, Chalke remains committed to the mission of empowering and rehabilitating at-risk youth.
The facility accommodated offenders aged between 12 and 18, referring to them as students and the staff as teachers and restore practitioners. Operating with up to 49 children at a given time, the institution incurred an average annual cost of £250,000 per individual. Unlike traditional detention centers, the school embraced an open environment with individualized rooms and a communal ambiance devoid of barred windows. The MoJ assured the public that there was no damage to the external structure of the establishment and indicated that the transition of fewer than 10 children to an alternate site is imminent
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.