BASW calls for G4S suspension and end to inhuman detention, following Brook House abuse scandal

BASW is calling on the Government to suspend and review all G4S security contracts following revelations of systematic abuse that was uncovered at the firm’s Brook House immigration centre earlier this week by BBC Panorama.

Furthermore, BASW is also calling for an end to the inhuman detention of vulnerable migrants who are seeking the right to stay in the UK or are awaiting removal to their countries of origin.

The undercover filming at Brook House by a courageous young whistle blower showed repeated racist bullying, barbaric and inhumane treatment against vulnerable detainees.

It was deeply shocking to see detainees, including a child, subjected to such horrific treatment and degradation, especially as many have serious mental health conditions.

This is the latest in a long line of highly concerning incidents involving G4S staff abusing vulnerable people while working on government security contracts.

The firm was involved in the removal Jimmy Mubenga which resulted in his death in 2013 on a deportation flight. More recently the company was stripped of a contract to run Medway Secure Training Centre after a previous Panorama undercover exposed further abuse.

We urgently need a review to carry out inspections of all contracts with GS4, and to suspend this company providing any services on behalf of the state until investigations are concluded.  

The Government intervenes when Local Authorities are deemed not to be providing safe services to children and young people, so BASW says it is time for action and calls for the Government to ensure safe legal services are provided for all, with inspection regimes which are fit for purpose.

Many charities and organisations, such as Movement for Justice and Medical Justice are advocating for an end to detention centres and for G4S to be stripped of their contracts.

“The level of medical mistreatment in immigration removal centres and the risk of harm to detainees is so great that Medical Justice calls for all immigration removal centres to be closed.  

“This should happen immediately, before another detainee dies.  All deaths in immigration detention are avoidable because immigration detention is optional,” says a Medical Justice spokesperson.