Government spends millions on faulty doors at Rochester youth offenders school
Planned reopening in March sparks concerns over violent incidents and self-harm reports
A youth offenders secure school in Rochester that closed after its doors were deemed unsecure is costing the Government an estimated £6 million to fix.
The facility, Oasis Restore, aims to revolutionise youth custody by focusing on education and providing a more therapeutic environment for young offenders. However, concerns remain after its initial operation was marred by reports of violence, incidents of self-harm, and control issues among staff and detainees.
The school, which is managed by the Oasis Charitable Trust, opened in May 2024 but had to close just 10 months later in March 2025 when issues with faulty internal doors were identified. Reports revealed that the doors were not adequately secure, allowing children to move freely within the building in ways that were not intended.
The Ministry of Justice has confirmed that all young people from the school have been moved to other secure facilities while repairs are carried out. Plans are in place for the school to reopen in March 2024 with placements for up to 49 students aged 12-17 years old.
Charity raises questions over funding priorities
Andrew Neilson, director of campaigns at the Howard League for Penal Reform, has expressed scepticism about the effectiveness of Oasis Restore and raised concerns about the decision to allocate substantial funding to the school.
Neilson said that the school had faced significant operational challenges during its short time open.
"There were high levels of violence, including both assaults from children on staff and staff physically restraining children," Neilson said. "There were also numerous incidents of self-harm, creating a view that the staff were not fully in control of the situation."
He questioned whether the funds being used to reopen Oasis Restore might be better allocated elsewhere.
"Perhaps all this money would have been better spent on investing in existing secure children's homes, which tend to be smaller, more localised institutions with staff trained in social work," Neilson said. "These settings are often more therapeutic and supportive environments for children in custody."
Ministry of Justice commits additional support
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: "We’re working with Oasis Restore to fix the doors and get the school back up and running as quickly as possible.
"We’re also offering additional support, focused on staff training and safeguarding, as they prepare to reopen."
The Ministry confirmed that all incidents involving violence, self-harm, or weapons are reviewed in detail to provide appropriate support to children and improve standards across the service.
A model for reform?
Oasis Restore was introduced as part of a broader government plan to provide alternatives to traditional young offender institutions, which have long drawn criticism for being too similar to adult prisons. The secure school places education at the forefront, with a focus on creating a more supportive and rehabilitative environment.
However, Neilson believes the concept still has a long way to go to prove its worth given its track record.
"The secure school certainly is falling short," Neilson said. "If it is going to reopen, it’s going to need to be a lot better than it was."
The Rochester school’s future success remains uncertain, but the reopening in March is likely to reignite debates about the effectiveness and cost of this new approach to youth justice.