Ministry of Justice and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons releases report on 'Monitoring places of detention'
The Independent has highlighted how a recent report by the Ministry of Justice and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) found immigrant detainees being removed from the UK under escort face disproportionate force and restraint.
The March 14th report, Monitoring places of detention, is available here.
The report says HMIP and the Independent Monitoring Boards (IMBs) conducted a number of inspections of detainees under escort. The need for such inspections was evidenced by the death of Jimmy Mubenga in 2010, following his forcible restraint by G4S security guards.
Inspections were carried out on detainees being deported to Afghanistan, Ghana, Nigeria and Sri Lanka.
The report states: "Findings suggested that on the whole, escort procedures were well organised and escorts dealt with detainees sensitively and effectively. However, concerns were raised that not enough was done to reduce stress for detainees, that there was disproportionate use of force and restraint, and examples of unprofessional behaviour by escorts who used very offensive language in front of detainees and others. Concerns about detainees experiencing aggressive behaviour by home officials on arrival in their destination country, as well as the lack of information on their home country to help prepare for return, were also expressed. HMIP was also concerned that there were no recognised safe procedures for the use of restraint in the confined spaces of an aircraft."
"Similarly to HMIP, IMBs reported examples of offensive language being used in front of detainees. They also found that the time taken between the detainee being discharged from the immigration removal centre and boarding their aircraft was excessive. However, on a more positive note, they observed a reasonably well-run operation, with a lot of attention being paid to detainees and their concerns, by both the immigration team and the overseas escort contractor."
A number of recommendations were made in light of the inspections.
According to the report, the UK NPM will continue to monitor the treatment of detainees being escorted overseas to ensure that they are being escorted safely and treated fairly under extremely difficult conditions, and to ensure that recommendations are acted on.
Meanwhile, in related breaking news today, BBC News reports that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has confirmed that three G4S custody officers will face manslaughter charges over the death of Jimmy Mubenga.