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| Jimmy Mubenga case a 'predictable consequence' of deportation system | Jimmy Mubenga case a 'predictable consequence' of deportation system |
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| In the three years since the death of Jimmy Mubenga, campaigners say there has been a wealth of evidence to suggest the tragic events at Heathrow were not an aberration but rather a predictable consequence of a system – dominated by private security firms – that has fostered a culture of violence and mistreatment over many years. | In the three years since the death of Jimmy Mubenga, campaigners say there has been a wealth of evidence to suggest the tragic events at Heathrow were not an aberration but rather a predictable consequence of a system – dominated by private security firms – that has fostered a culture of violence and mistreatment over many years. |
| In February 2011, four months after Mubenga died, a Guardian investigation revealed testimony from four G4S whistleblowers who said the security giant had been warned repeatedly in the years before the incident that potentially lethal force was being used against deportees, and that some guards had been playing "Russian roulette with detainees' lives". | In February 2011, four months after Mubenga died, a Guardian investigation revealed testimony from four G4S whistleblowers who said the security giant had been warned repeatedly in the years before the incident that potentially lethal force was being used against deportees, and that some guards had been playing "Russian roulette with detainees' lives". |
| They also raised concerns that both guards and detainees were locked into a dangerous and brutal system, where detainees were often aware that if they created enough of a commotion before a flight took off they had a chance of being thrown off the plane, thereby delaying their removal. The guards, for their part, knew they would lose money for themselves and the company unless they kept the detainee quiet and "got the job away". The allegations were submitted to the Commons home affairs select committee, but G4S said the information was not shared with it, so the company was unable to investigate. | They also raised concerns that both guards and detainees were locked into a dangerous and brutal system, where detainees were often aware that if they created enough of a commotion before a flight took off they had a chance of being thrown off the plane, thereby delaying their removal. The guards, for their part, knew they would lose money for themselves and the company unless they kept the detainee quiet and "got the job away". The allegations were submitted to the Commons home affairs select committee, but G4S said the information was not shared with it, so the company was unable to investigate. |
| In May 2011 a new security company, Reliance, won the government contract from G4S but allegations of abuse and mistreatment of detainees continued. | In May 2011 a new security company, Reliance, won the government contract from G4S but allegations of abuse and mistreatment of detainees continued. |
| A year after Reliance took over, the Guardian identified at least seven new allegations of mistreatment and a leaked document revealed the company had decided to place its own guards under surveillance after concluding that some lacked respect for ethnic minorities and women, and displayed "loutish" and "aggressive" behaviour. | A year after Reliance took over, the Guardian identified at least seven new allegations of mistreatment and a leaked document revealed the company had decided to place its own guards under surveillance after concluding that some lacked respect for ethnic minorities and women, and displayed "loutish" and "aggressive" behaviour. |
| In August 2012 the merry-go-round of huge private companies bidding for lucrative government contracts continued: Reliance was acquired by Capita and the part of the company responsible for removals was rebranded as Tascor. | In August 2012 the merry-go-round of huge private companies bidding for lucrative government contracts continued: Reliance was acquired by Capita and the part of the company responsible for removals was rebranded as Tascor. |
| But as big money deals between government and global companies continue, there appear to be familiar problems for those at the sharp end of the UK's removals system. In the last couple of weeks two detainee custody officers – who now work for Tascor – have told the Guardian there is still no adequate training for recruits. "No one has actually been taught any form of technique to load a detainee on to an aircraft," one said. Another said a number of detainees had been assaulted by guards on a recent charter flight to Lagos. | But as big money deals between government and global companies continue, there appear to be familiar problems for those at the sharp end of the UK's removals system. In the last couple of weeks two detainee custody officers – who now work for Tascor – have told the Guardian there is still no adequate training for recruits. "No one has actually been taught any form of technique to load a detainee on to an aircraft," one said. Another said a number of detainees had been assaulted by guards on a recent charter flight to Lagos. |
| A spokesman for Capita said it could not comment on anonymous claims, but added that Tascor focused on "delivering a professional service to its clients while ensuring its methods of operations are compliant with the relevant statutory regulations". | A spokesman for Capita said it could not comment on anonymous claims, but added that Tascor focused on "delivering a professional service to its clients while ensuring its methods of operations are compliant with the relevant statutory regulations". |
| But Deborah Coles, co-director of Inquest, said there was widespread evidence regarding the mistreatment of detainees before Mubenga's death, with warnings about use of excessive force and dangerous restraint techniques. She claimed little had changed since. | But Deborah Coles, co-director of Inquest, said there was widespread evidence regarding the mistreatment of detainees before Mubenga's death, with warnings about use of excessive force and dangerous restraint techniques. She claimed little had changed since. |
| "This was a death waiting to happen and we have little confidence that the situation today is any different in the absence of a robust and transparent training and accountability regime. Where the state outsources its functions, it cannot absolve its responsibility for the health and safety of detainees." | "This was a death waiting to happen and we have little confidence that the situation today is any different in the absence of a robust and transparent training and accountability regime. Where the state outsources its functions, it cannot absolve its responsibility for the health and safety of detainees." |
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