Detainees were not treated with enough decency in the removal process despite some impressive care and concern from individual staff, said Nick Hardwick, Chief Inspector of Prisons. Today he published the report of an inspection of escort and removals of detainees to Pakistan.

Inspectors were pleased to find that:

• the generally experienced escort team managed the removal safely;
• most staff behaved appropriately; and
• the reception of detainees in Pakistan was courteous and quick, with embassy oversight and welfare support available immediately on arrival.

However, inspectors were concerned to find that:

• some staff persisted in using control techniques that were more likely to escalate tensions than promote calm behaviour;
• escorts had still not been provided with training on the use of force in confined environments such as aircraft some two and a half years since inspectors first recommended it;
• many of the contracted staff were exhausted and could not avoid falling asleep, even when in charge of detainees identified at risk of self-harm; and
• a small number of staff were unprofessional and behaved inappropriately.

Nick Hardwick said:

“The removal was well organised and completed with little incident. However, too many of our findings replicated those at previous inspections, particularly those in relation to the dignity of detainees. Generally efficient procedures did not amount to respect for detainees who, it seemed to us, were seen as commodities to be delivered rather than as vulnerable individuals deserving of individual attention. Staff also had little awareness of important inquiry findings that should have been cascaded down to them following the death of a detainee during a scheduled flight removal in 2010.”

Notes to Editors:

1. Read the report.

2. HM Inspectorate of Prisons is an independent inspectorate, inspecting places of detention to report on conditions and treatment, and promote positive outcomes for those detained and the public.

3. This inspection was carried out from 10-11 December 2013.

4. Inspectors accompanied a charter flight removal of 66 detainees to Islamabad, Pakistan. The entire removal process was inspected, from the point at which detainees were collected from immigration removal centres, to the end of the journey to the destination country.

5. The aircraft was chartered by the Home Office and Tascor were contracted to carry out the removals.

6. Please contact Jane Parsons in HMI Prisons Press Office on 020 3681 2775 or 07880 787452 if you would like more information.