Yarl's Wood staff proved racist

Evidence of racism found at immigrant removal centre

Some staff at an illegal immigrant removal centre are racist according to an official report.

Allegations of racism and abusive language by staff at the Yarl's Wood centre have been substantiated in a report by Ombudsman Stephen Shaw.

He was investigating claims about the centre in Bedfordshire made in articles in the Daily Mirror in December 2003.

His report also found that there was a heightened use of restraint techniques compared with other removal centres.

29 recommendations

The Ombudsman responsible for prisons and probation services makes 29 recommendations, all of which have been accepted by the Home Office.

But Mr Shaw concluded that there was not a general culture of racism, violence and abuse at the centre.