Young offenders detention centre

[ISMEUK]

I cant spell the black teacher name but could it have been Meecheck Fillameana. I worked and lived there in the 80's untill it was closed. It sounds like you should not have been a Forhill but they had nowhere else suitable. Do you remember a Mr Payne Mr Johnson or Mr Wilkes oh not forgetting Brian Owen the big boss

 

[Alberta]

There was and possibly still is an 'approved school' called St Johns in Gravelly hill Erdington.

 

[Janet Hunt]

There's certainly nothing very romantic, or pleasant, about the inmates. Charming,

As one of the boys that were on one of the units I find that a little one-sided. I agree some was just pure evil. Yet some of us was only in there for behaviour problems. I later in life found out I had ADHD, Autism and anxiety disorder. Unfortunately kids like myself back then were looked at as just being naughty and often still are in this day and age. Some of us should have never been put in a place like that in the first place. I'm 39 years old now. Self-employed and a keen gardener who enjoys the outdoors and nature as well as classic cars. So please remember we are not all bad and I'm sure if you think, you will remember some good kids in there. Unfortunately it's to easy to just remember the bad

This was me in the wood work shop. Some of you may remember me
View attachment 158738

Nice to meet you Robbie and well done in turning your life around. I remember visiting Glenthorne in the 1990's as part of my HND in social care. I remember I was quite scared of the visit in particular when we were given instructions not to take in pens, chewing gum etc, as these could be used as weapons or methods of escape. I remember there were also a couple of halfway houses on site for those about to leave the system. The Many people I spoke with were very polite and determined to get on with life once out. I agree some people should never have been sent there...guess that was the systems easy option at the time and not always the best.

 

[Janet Hunt]

Interesting article here about Glenthorne/ArdenLeigh Glenthorne closed in 2002 and Ardenleigh opened in 2003 utilising some existing buildings.

https://www.search.connectinghistor...orne was a purpose,sent there from the courts

 

[Billyjoefriend]

Hi guys
does any body know whether the young offenders detention centre at erdington
its a secure unit for the serios offenders of crime is still there
its i think by the old dhss offices on the corner of kingsbury rd
its so secure they can never escape like the other places of detention
and if possible can some-one tell me the name of it please

My name is billy joe friend I did a few years in glenthorne in erdington Kingston road I can remember loads of people Chris I did woodwork with he’s wife I cooked with Barbara who learned me to read plus helped me clear my name looking back there is to many people to name I would love to hear from any one who knows me from there I don’t even know if this if I’m doing this right it’s getting a bit emotional thinking back to them days I can remember young Gary Morrison who left and the next day died in a car crash there’s a lot of lost little souls but then I just hope they found peace

 

[Alberta]

Welcome to the forum Billy, it was good that you met people who helped you and I can imagine it is emotional for you to remember those times.Thank you for your post.

 

[johnny082]

Yes, thank you for your post Billy. It's good to know that something positive came out of your time there. Take my advice Billy and 'keep on learning'.