A new report from the Independent Monitoring Boards (IMB) has found that Home Office contractors are over-using restraint in immigration detention centres, describing the practice as 'deeply concerning'. The report, titled 'By Force of Habit: How the Use of Force in Immigration Detention Has Lost Sight of Necessity and Dignity', reveals that force is being applied inconsistently, disproportionately, and without adequate justification, undermining the dignity and welfare of highly vulnerable individuals.
The report highlights routine handcuffing, particularly during hospital transfers, as having become the default rather than the exception. In one case, a frail 70-year-old man was handcuffed despite paperwork noting no evidence of risk. The IMB national chair, Elisabeth Davies, said: 'It's about operational force being used for operational convenience.' She added that she has written to the Home Office numerous times about high levels of handcuffing and lack of clear justification.
Examples of concerning staff culture include a note on a detention centre whiteboard reading: 'Thought of the Day: Handle Stressful situations like a dog. If you can't eat it or hump it, piss on it or walk away.' Davies said the sign was not hidden and called for changes in staff culture. Another incident involved a personal protection trainer telling officers: 'If someone's coming at me, I'm going to keep myself safe. I don't worry about what's proportionate.'
The report also identifies missed opportunities for de-escalation, including a case where a man was restrained after failing to obey an instruction to stand up. It finds no evidence of a trauma-informed approach, despite many detainees having experienced trauma, including torture and trafficking. Significant gaps in recording force were identified, with incomplete documentation, inaccurate records, and ineffective review processes raising concerns about governance and accountability.
A spokesperson for Serco, a private contractor managing detention centres, said: 'This report is full of unevidenced assertions and unsubstantiated comments which do not reflect our professional training or how we treat people in our care. Our officers only use appropriate and proportionate force as a last resort, and the use of force is closely monitored.' Davies called on the Home Office to act urgently to strengthen oversight, embed trauma-informed practices, and ensure force is only used when absolutely necessary.
