Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many staff have been dismissed for abusing detainees in immigration detention centres in each of the last five years.

The Government expects the highest standards from those we entrust with the safety and welfare of those in detention.

Management information indicates that 20 detainee custody officers have been dismissed for either the inappropriate use of force or inappropriate behaviour towards a detained individual from 1 January 2015 to 18 July 2020. Of these 20 dismissals, 1 took place in 2015, 2 in 2016, 14 in 2017, 2 in 2018, 1 in 2019 and none in the year to date. These individuals have also had their certification revoked by the Home Office. This is provisional management information that is subject to change. It has not been assured to the standard of Official Statistics.

All complaints made by individuals detained at an immigration removal centre (IRC) are investigated by the IRC supplier in accordance with Detention Services Order 03/2015. Any allegations of serious misconduct made against staff at an IRC are also referred to the Home Office Professional Standards Unit for investigation. Where a detained individual, or someone on their behalf, alleges that a member of staff has committed a sexual offence against them the police will automatically be notified, even if the detained individual does not wish the matter to be reported or to make a formal complaint.