Vulnerable men at Colnbrook immigration removal centre are held
in an "oppressive and degrading" conditions, according to a prisons
inspectorate report published today.
Inspectors found weaknesses in the management of detainees at
risk of suicide and self harm and described the unit for vulnerable
people as "not fit for purpose" at the centre, based at Heathrow
airport.
Use of force had also increased, while drugs remained a serious
security issue despite improvements in treatment services, the
probe between 17-21 November 2008 found.
Bullying
Bullying was also a "significant problem" and allegations
including bullying by staff were inadequately investigated, the
inspection report revealed.
Many individuals had been at the high-security centre for months
or even years and were frustrated at the lack of progress of their
cases. Only just over half had legal representatives.
Inspectors also said the adjoining short-term holding centre,
holding both men and women, had failed to improve.
Struggling to cope
Chief inspector of prisons Anne Owers said: “Staff and managers
readily admitted that Colnbrook was struggling to cope. It is to be
hoped that the opening of new accommodation elsewhere in the estate
will relieve some of the excessive pressure under which the centre
now operates.”
Colnbrook IRC is run by
Serco and holds up to 355
detainees.
Response
Dave Woods, head of criminality and detention at the UK Border
Agency said there had been "significant" improvements in the six
months since the inspection.
"We take the findings of independent monitors very seriously and
work hard to implement their recommendations. We will draw up an
action plan responding to this report to keep improving the
centre," he added.
More information
Prisons inspectorate
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