Rules governing enforced removals from the UK : eighteenth report of session 2010-12, report, together with formal minutes, oral and written evidence

The inquiry launched following the death of Jimmy Mubenga on a deportation flight from the UK found that although there were some positive aspects of the process, which is carried out on the UK Border Agency's behalf by a private security contractor, (initially G4S and, since 1 May 2011, Reliance Security) the Committee found evidence of: inappropriate use of physical restraint, and the possible use of unauthorised and potentially dangerous restraint techniques; weaknesses in passing on information about detainees' medical conditions to all the relevant staff; Use of racist language by contractors; Use of excessive numbers of contactor staff.

The Committee recommends that the UK Border Agency should strengthen its procedures so that its own staff feel that they are entitled and expected to challenge any poor conduct on the part of contractors.

The Committee also rejects the practice of taking detainees to the airport as "reserves" in case another detainee is taken off a removal flight at the last minute. To strengthen safeguards against the ill treatment of prisoners, the Committee recommends that members of the Independent Monitoring Boards for immigration removal centres - or a similar independent monitoring network-be given access to chartered removal flights