April 30, 2004: Racism at Yaryl's Wood

An independent report into allegations of racism and mistreatment of detainees at Yarl’s Wood Removal Centre has found that there was not a general culture of racism, violence and abuse.

The report, by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman Stephen Shaw, did substantiate most of the recent allegations of racist and other abusive language but found that they were isolated and involved a very small number of staff against whom disciplinary action has been taken. However, the report makes 29 recommendations, all of which have been accepted.

The full report can be downloaded by clicking here here.

The then Home Office Minister Beverley Hughes commissioned an investigation following articles in the Daily Mirror in December 2003.

In the conclusion of his report Mr Shaw says:

"I have concluded that most of the things that Mr Sommerlad (the Mirror reporter) said happened did happen. I have also concluded that there is not a culture of abuse, racism and violence at Yarl’s Wood. These are apparently contradictory findings. "Mr Sommerlad’s allegations are largely based on what was said during the five week training course which he attended. When taken out of context, some of these remarks were, at the least, unfortunate. There were also a number of remarks that were simply unacceptable, regardless of context. "It is important to note that these remarks were attributable to a small handful of people. While it is of concern that they felt able to speak as they did, I note that two of the three no longer work for the company and I am satisfied that GSL has taken appropriate action. This and the thoroughness of their investigation and my own will have served to reinforce the point that racism in any form is unacceptable. "I have found no evidence to support Mr Sommerlad’s assertion that staff had an unwonted enthusiasm for control and restraint or were violent towards detainees