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“Get a wet towel”

Frank (not real name) was born in 1958 and went into Brockhall aged 4 in 1962, leaving later in 1960s. He returned to Brockhall aged 16 in 1974, and left in 1978.

Here he recalls how some of his fellow residents were punished.

Transcript:

“They can be aggressive and all that – some staff. I’ve never had dealings with them… I’ve only had the odd one but other than that. Oh I’ve seen other lads get punished. Do you remember me telling you about when they used to go into the bathroom, in washrooms and all that? When they put the cold water into the bath. And put them into the bath and when they come out, get a wet towel and whack them. There were all different punishments in there, you know. I’m glad I didn’t get that treatment. That would have made me worse. I mean can you imagine whack someone on the body, on the back or anywhere? It’s bad.”