Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of any increase in the number of immigration staff that are being investigated and suspended as a result of violence and racism towards the detainees.

We expect all staff working in the immigration detention estate to behave in a professional and respectful manner. Where custodial staff are found not to have met the standards of behaviour and professionalism required they may face disciplinary action from their employer and may have their certification to work as a detainee custody officer reviewed by the Home Office.

We operate a comprehensive complaints process for detained individuals including complaints submitted on their behalf by third parties. As set out in published guidance, DSO - 03-2015 Handling complaints (publishing.service.gov.uk), complaints involving any allegation of misconduct are referred to the Home Office Professional Standard Unit and all allegations of a criminal nature must be reported to the police as soon as the allegation is made.