A short term continuation of G4S’s contract to run the Gatwick
Immigration Removal Centres has been agreed until a long term
manager is identified.
The contract for the management of Brook House and Tinsley House,
which was due to expire this month, was put out for tender in
November 2016. However, after careful consideration of the bids,
it was decided that G4S would continue with the contract for a
further 2 years. This will allow for the review of 2 significant
reports on immigration detention before a new procurement begins.
A Home Office spokesperson said:
All immigration detainees must be treated with dignity and
respect, and we will accept nothing but the highest standards
from those who have responsibility for their care.
The procurement process featured a heightened level of due
diligence against the allegations from the Panorama programme on
Brook House Immigration Removal Centre (IRC) last year, so we
took the time we needed to consider all bids very carefully.
However, with 2 significant reviews by Stephen Shaw and Kate
Lampard currently in train, we have concluded that it would be
premature to enter into a new contract at this stage.
Stephen Shaw’s assessment of progress in responding to his 2016
review of vulnerability in detention is considering questions of
staff culture, recruitment and training, complaints mechanisms,
and the effectiveness of whistle-blowing procedures across the
immigration detention estate.
The independent review of Brook House IRC that G4S commissioned
from Kate Lampard last year is also looking at the factors
affecting staff morale and behaviour, and attitudes to
whistle-blowing. The government will publish Mr Shaw’s report in
the coming months and we expect Ms Lampard’s findings later in
the year.
Relaunching the procurement process later this year, when both
have published their findings, will ensure that the conclusions
can be considered as part of the new contract.
The decision was announced today to bidders and the Home Affairs
Select Committee following the end of local election purdah.
