Brook House Inquiry finds evidence of toxic culture

A toxic culture allowed staff to physically and verbally abuse migrants at an immigration removal centre in West Sussex, according to a public inquiry that heard evidence of significant mistreatment.

Staff at Brook House immigration detention centre near Gatwick Airport were found to have subjected detainees to degrading treatment, including forcibly moving people while they were naked, and speaking to migrants using racist, homophobic and derogatory language.

Staff often showed little regard for migrants’ welfare, and some appeared desensitised towards the vulnerabilities of detained people. There were occasions where they would use the phrase “if he dies, he dies”.

Staff used derogatory language as a way to “fit in”.

The inquiry was set up to investigate the mistreatment of individuals detained at Brook House between April and August 2017, following a BBC Panorama programme which showed covert footage of mistreatment. At the time, the centre was operated by G4S on behalf of the Home Office.

The inquiry identified 19 incidents that amounted to mistreatment contrary to Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects individuals from inhumane, degrading treatment or punishment.

These included inappropriate use of force, inflicting unnecessary pain, dangerous restraint techniques including gripping a man’s neck, making inappropriate and humiliating comments to two detainees who attempted suicide, and initially failing to help a detainee…