Publication of audit of race relations across the immigration detention estate
03 January 2008
An audit report of race relations across the immigration detention estate conducted by Focus Consultancy Ltd has been published today.
The audit was commissioned following an inquiry by Stephen Shaw, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, into the 2005 BBC programme 'Detention Undercover' that made allegations of racism by staff towards detainees at Oakington immigration reception centre and on escort.
Visits to the immigration removals centres were conducted by Focus Consultancy between 30 January 2007 and 9 March 2007.
The audit findings highlighted areas for improvement with regards to race relations, but did not support serious allegations of racism or mistreatment of detainees.
Border and Immigration Agency Chief Executive Lin Homer said:
"Removing people from the UK, where they have no legal right to be here, is about fairness and enforcing the rules. However it is important to treat those being detained with courtesy and dignity, and to effect their removal in the same spirit. The Border and Immigration Agency takes any allegation of abuse or misconduct very seriously which is why we commissioned this report.
"We are pleased the report recognises that race relations procedures are operating above average at nine out of ten removal centres. Our aim however is further improvement, and to that end we will consider the recommendations closely."