Written evidence submitted by G4S

Background

Brook House is an immigration removal centre (IRC) situated near Gatwick Airport and holds up to 508 adult male detainees. Decisions about who should be detained in an IRC are taken by the Home Office who are also responsible for managing the asylum cases of each detainee.  G4S is responsible for caring for the detainees in a secure environment on behalf of the Home Office.

Immigration Removal Centres (IRCs) are operated under the guidance of the Home Office and in accordance with the Detention Centre Rules 2001 which detail all of the requirements of an IRC.

Oversight at IRCs

The Prison Act 1952 and the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 require every prison and IRC to be monitored by an Independent Monitoring Board.  The most recent IMB report on Brook House was published in April 2017 describes Brook House as a ‘well run establishment, providing a decent environment where detainees awaiting removal are treated humanely and fairly.’ It continues: ‘There is a real will among the management team to seek to improve and a “can-do” culture of transparency.  This attitude permeates to the officers in their attitude to the IMB, which is one of cooperation and helpfulness’.

In addition to the oversight provided by the on-site monitoring Board, the centre is also subject to inspections (both announced and unannounced) by Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons. 

The most recent inspection rated Brook House as ‘reasonably good’ (the third highest of the four possible ratings) in all four of the healthy establishment tests and notes the hard work of the management and staff in making continuous improvements at the centre.

The Home Office is represented by an on-site team, who have full access to the centre at any point.

1. Update on the action G4S is taking following the Panorama programme and the current state of play

The behaviour shown in the programme is completely unacceptable and not representative of the many G4S colleagues who do a great job, often in difficult and challenging circumstances, across the country.

• Based on written documentation provided by the BBC which set out the allegations, G4S immediately reported the allegations to the Home Office, Sussex Police and Local Authority and commenced an urgent investigation

• We have reminded all staff of the whistleblowing channels available to them and encouraged them to use them should they have any concerns about the behaviour of colleagues

• Ten members of staff were suspended immediately pending investigations

• We have dismissed three employees

• We have requested that the BBC provides all of the evidence in its possession to G4S so that the investigation can be completed fully

• We are discussing an action plan with the home office which covers a wide range of enhancements such as the extension of body worn cameras, additional training for staff, focus groups with detainees, unplanned management visits & inspections 

• We intend to commission an independent review – the terms of reference are being agreed and we are in the process of selecting an appropriate organisation to carry out the review.

• We continue to focus on the care and wellbeing of detainees at Brook House

2. Background to Brook House

Immigration Removal Centres (IRCs) are operated under the guidance of the Home Office. G4S does not make decisions regarding who is detained in an IRC or the duration of their detention – this is managed by the Home Office.

G4S’ responsibility is to care for those who have been denied the right to stay in the UK by the Home Office prior to leaving the country.

Time served Foreign National Offenders (or FNOs) – detainees who have completed a custodial sentence for crimes committed in the UK and are due to return to their country of origin.  In the first week of September 2017, the FNO population at Brook House was 31%, although this figure can fluctuate each month. It is not uncommon for around 45% of detainees within an IRC to be FNOs. 

Detainees are allocated a Home Office case worker and there are channels open to detainees who wish to make a complaint or raise a concern. Detainees’ complaints go directly to the Home Office – serious complaints are investigated independently to G4S by the Home Office Professional Standards Unit 

There are 224 staff at Brook House and Tinsley House, of which 130 are Detention & Custody Officers (DCOs).

Staff are encouraged to raise any concerns regarding the behaviour of colleagues either to their line manager or a confidential whistleblowing service.  The service called “Speak Out” is promoted regularly to staff.  Speak Out is being used by staff at Brook House and a number of cases have been or are being investigated. 

3. Accommodation in Brook House IRC

Brook House is a male detention centre built to prison standards, opened in 2009 with an initial maximum operation capacity of 448.  As part of a Home Office expansion project 60 rooms had a third bed fitted, increasing capacity to 508. G4S reviewed the requirements and increased staffing accordingly.

• A wing operational capacity is 140 and includes 20 rooms that have three beds
• B wing capacity is 78; it is used for the first night stay of detainees but is also used as normal accommodation when required. This is with the knowledge of the Home Office
• Clyde wing 140 places with 20 three person rooms
• Dove wing 128 places with 20 three person rooms
• Six spaces in the care and separation unit (CSU)
• Eden wing 22 places plus two constant watch rooms used for detainees who may be vulnerable, age disputes, mental health concerns, medical observations , detainees for overseas flights who have previously disrupted flights - detainees undergo a full risk assessment and have access to all facilities in the centre
• The rooms have beds, desks and shelving. Along with a wall mounted TV, washbasin and screened off toilet
• Detainees do not have room keys but have lockable cupboards 
• Smoking is allowed in the rooms and external areas
• Onsite healthcare providing 24 hour cover
• Recreational facilities: table tennis, pool tables, some games consoles in each wing communal area, fixed tables and chairs where meals are taken
• There is free movement to enable detainees to access regime activities and facilities. They are locked in shared rooms from 9pm - 8am and 2 short periods each day for the roll count
  
   

4. Details governing the contract for Brook House

• G4S won the contract after a competitive bid process in 2008
• The contract start date was 15/09/2009
• The initial contract for Brook House was for five years with an option to extend for a further three years
• The current contract ends on 19 May 2018
• The contract is output based – which means performance is measured against targets agreed in the contract – for example, available detainee places, minimum staffing levels on site as measured at specific times of the 24hour period etc. G4S has introduced efficiency measures over the life of the contract and reduced charges to the Home Office as a result
• G4S revenue for Brook House was  £11.2m in 2016

5. What other IRCs does G4S run?

G4S also runs Tinsley House, a modern purpose built centre which was opened in 1996 adjacent to Gatwick airport.

13 September 2017

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