A new watchdog report has raised serious concerns about the widespread and routine use of force in UK immigration detention centres, warning that Home Office contractors are applying restraint excessively, inconsistently, and without proper justification. The report, By Force of Habit, published by the Independent Monitoring Boards (IMB), concludes that force has “lost sight of necessity and dignity,” placing vulnerable detainees at risk and exposing deep cultural problems inside facilities.
The IMB found that handcuffing had become the default response in many situations, particularly during hospital escorts. In one example, a frail 70-year-old man was handcuffed despite paperwork identifying no risk factors. The report described the practice of requiring detainees to accept handcuffing as a condition for being taken to hospital as “a form of coercion.”
Another case involved a man on constant suicide watch who resisted removal. According to the report, he was carried half-naked onto an aircraft by several staff members who took turns pushing his head against a seat. Investigators said the impact on his dignity was “profound.”
Toxic Staff Culture Highlighted in Disturbing Examples
The watchdog also identified troubling elements of staff culture inside detention centres. One detention unit whiteboard displayed a message reading: “Handle stressful situations like a dog. If you can’t eat it or hump it, piss on it or walk away.” IMB national chair Elisabeth Davies said the sign was openly displayed and indicative of a wider cultural problem that undermines confidence in how vulnerable detainees are treated.
In another example, a personal protection trainer was quoted telling officers: “If someone’s coming at me, I’m going to keep myself safe. I don’t worry about what’s proportionate… my priority is to look after myself.” The report argues that such attitudes contribute to a system where force is used as a first response rather than a last resort.
Missed De-escalation and Weak Oversight
The IMB found repeated failures to consider trauma-informed approaches, despite many detainees having histories of torture, trafficking, or other severe trauma. In one case, a detainee was restrained simply for failing to stand up when instructed. The report also highlighted serious problems with record-keeping, including incomplete documentation, inaccuracies, and weak review processes, raising concerns about accountability.
Davies said the findings were “deeply concerning,” warning that restraint had become routine and governance “weak,” undermining both legality and humane treatment. She called on the Home Office to strengthen oversight, ensure force is used only when necessary, and drive meaningful cultural change.
Government and Contractor Responses
A spokesperson for Serco, one of the Home Office’s private contractors, rejected the conclusions, describing the report as being filled with “unevidenced assertions.” They insisted that staff use force only as a last resort and that practices are closely monitored.
Medical Justice, a charity that supports detainees, said the findings were “distressing,” adding that the government continued to allow unsafe restraint practices that put vulnerable people at risk.
The Home Office said it would review the report’s findings, stressing that it already monitors all uses of force to ensure proportionality. It noted that last week the home secretary unveiled sweeping reforms aimed at making it easier to remove migrants, including changes to human rights laws and appeals.
Detention Estate Under Scrutiny
The report comes as the UK government pushes ahead with plans to expand immigration detention capacity while tightening migration rules. The debate has intensified since ministers announced major reforms to accelerate deportations, including fast-track removals and changes to the legal safeguards available to detainees. Human rights groups say these changes make independent oversight even more important as the use of detention is expected to rise significantly.
