The government is set to take over the running of a youth jail hit by abuse allegations, it has been reported.

The Ministry of Justice is thought to be taking over Medway Secure Training Centre in Rochester, which is currently run by private security firm G4S.

In April the MoJ announced G4S will not be taking on the new contract which it was awarded in September last year.

The transfer was due to take place last Friday, April 1, but instead the old contract was extended until July.

At the time, a source told KentOnline the government was considering nationalising the youth jail.

Now it has been reported the Ministry of Justice is pressing ahead with the takeover.

"We are considering a range of options" - Ministry of Justice

The jail is to be run by the National Offender Management Service, which runs public sector prisons and probation services, according to the BBC.

The move is expected to be announced next week but the MoJ have not confirmed it.

A spokesman said: "Our priority will always be the safety and welfare of young people in custody – that is why the Justice Secretary set up an Independent Improvement Board to examine the running of Medway STC. This sits alongside a wider review of youth justice, led by Charlie Taylor.

"We are considering a range of options and will announce the next steps in due course.”

Footage secretly filmed for BBC’s Panorama by an undercover journalist at the jail showed staff appearing to use excessive force to restrain youngsters, children being bullied by staff, officers lying when reporting incidents and staff boasting about hurting inmates.

A police investigation is ongoing and five people arrested in connection with the case have been bailed.

G4S announced in February it is selling its children’s services business which includes its contracts to manage Medway STC and Oakhill in Milton Keynes.

A board, led by Rochester head teacher Gary Holden, was set up in January to oversee improvements. Their final report was due to be finished in March and is now expected to be published this month.

Justice minister Michael Gove has also asked government adviser Charlie Taylor, to conduct a review of youth justice.

He is due to report back in July with recommendations on how to improve the treatment of young people in the justice system.