An undercover Channel 4 News investigation into Yarl’s Wood immigration detention centre has confirmed detainees’ allegations of racism and abuse.
The centre, run by the multinational security firm Serco, holds 400 mostly female asylum seekers.
A manager said of the prisoners, “They’re all animals. Take a stick in to beat them up”. A guard commented, “These black women are fucking horrible.”
Women complain that male guards burst into rooms without warning when they are undressed. One guard is heard saying, “I’m addicted to the viewing of tits.”
Serco has stated that it has “no grounds to believe disrespectful behaviour is endemic.”
In 2013 alone there were 74 self harm incidents. These included jumping down a stairwell.