As we approach the end of the year, we are keen to highlight the recent report by the Independent Monitoring Board on the use of force on people in immigration detention. After the Brook House Inquiry, this report shows that the Home Office is still not doing enough to prevent such failures happening again.
And we want to highlight, in particular, some of the key findings:
- Inconsistent application of restraint: Practices vary between facilities run by Home Office contractors, with some decisions appearing to be influenced by operational convenience or local preferences rather than individual risk.
- Missed opportunities for de-escalation: Language barriers and a failure to use interpretation services may have led to the unnecessary use of force, with many individuals left unable to understand what is happening.
- Concerning staff attitudes and organisational culture: Some staff and trainers demonstrated a disregard for proportionality and accountability, with reports of coercive practices and inappropriate comments during training.
- Significant gaps in the recording of force: IMBs identified incomplete documentation, inaccurate records, and ineffective review processes, raising concerns about governance and accountability.
As the Government looks to increase the size of the immigration detention estate, this report amongst others, surely should give them powerful food for thought to question this strategy in 2026.
