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The prisons and probation ombudsman has recommended a race relations audit of the entire immigration removal estate, writes Amy Taylor.

Stephen Shaw makes the call in a report into allegations of abuse at Oakington Immigration Reception Centre following the broadcast of a BBC documentary on the treatment of detainees by staff at the centre.

Shaw said that the documentary had revealed a sub-culture of abusive comment, casual racism and contempt for decent values.

Other recommendations include for further training to be provided to escort staff on effective and appropriate engagement with detainees.

Shaw, who accompanied a selection of detainees as they were removed, also criticised the many hours spent waiting around in the process and has called for Immigration and Nationality Directorate and Securicour to review the logistics of removals to try to address the issue.

Home Office minister Tony McNulty said: “The inquiry into Oakington raises many important issues and we shall respond to Mr Shaw’s recommendations once we have fully studied the report.”

Inquiry into allegations of racism and mistreatment of detainees at Oakington Immigration Reception Centre and while and escort from: www.homeoffice.gov.uk