Immigration centres require race relations audit, ombudsman says

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