GSL has responded to allegations in a recent BBC undercover-filmed TV documentary about wrong-doing by some staff at Oakington asylum seeker detention centre.
GSL says that it does not tolerate racism, discrimination or any form of abuse in the workplace. This is core to GSL policies, the Broadway, Worcestershire-based firm says, operating procedures and staff training programmes. The firm says there are very good staff – detainee relationships at Oakington and this is reflected in separate reports by the Independent Monitoring Board and by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, who praised the caring and professional attitude of our staff.
GSL says it takes the BBC’s allegations very seriously and is carrying out an investigation. The company’s head of security, a detective with 30 years police experience, has commissioned a team of six former senior police officers, from outside of GSL, to assist with our enquiries. GSL says it will make the findings available to the Home Office. Most of the 900 staff who work at Oakington removal centre and in-country escorting of detainees are ordinary decent people doing a difficult job and they are feeling badly let down by a minority, according to the firm.
GSL admits the BBC reports some apparent instances of very inappropriate behaviour and language. The firm says it needs to establish if these are confined or more widespread and what more can be done to prevent a recurrence. The firm says it is reviewing management and supervisory systems, recruitment, vetting, training and monitoring besides investigating the individual instances highlighted by the programme.
Fifteen employees mentioned in the BBC allegations have been withdrawn from front line duties pending the outcome of the investigations. Three others had already resigned in circumstances unrelated to the BBC programme and another has subsequently resigned.
Oakington was inspected last year by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, the firm points out. The inspectors reported: Detainees themselves told the inspector’s team that they thought most staff treated them with respect (94pc). Despite the insecurity of their situation, the overwhelming majority of detainees said they felt safe (87pc) and would turn to a member of staff if they had a problem (80pc). The inspector’s team also found the over-riding message from the detainees themselves and from staff was “an establishment with good race relations and respect for diversity”.
The most recently published annual report of the Independent Monitoring Board, released in 2004, described Oakington as “a caring and safe place”. It reported: Staff look after the welfare as well as security issues of detainees in a relaxed, friendly but aware manner. The Independent Monitoring Board commended the staff in the more secure Detainee Departure Unit for the excellent job they carry out under difficult conditions and for showing great regard for detainees’ welfare.
A survey amongst detainees about in-country escorting conducted last year by Independent Monitoring Board members found that drivers and escorts exercised a duty of care with no significant problems being reported about the journeys.
