17 Response Accepted in Part AI-assessed

Mandatory use of force debrief training and multi-level review process

Recommendation

The Home Office must ensure, as a matter of urgency, that training is delivered on how to conduct an effective use of force incident debrief, ensuring that issues of detained person and staff welfare, as well as training needs, are covered. The training must be mandatory for all immigration removal centre contractor employees who conduct such reviews and those who manage them. The Home Office must also require that use of force incidents be reviewed, at a minimum, at the following levels: Within 36 hours of each use of force incident, the Use of Force Coordinator must conduct a thorough incident review, ensuring that all documentation and footage are collated and preserved, and with a view to taking emergency action in instances of unlawful or inappropriate force. On a weekly basis, all use of force incidents must be reviewed (including all necessary paperwork and available video footage) at a formal meeting by the Use of Force Coordinator and a suitable manager in order to review each incident and to identify any issues or further action required. On a monthly basis, immigration removal centre contractor senior management must arrange meetings with other stakeholders (including detained people and representatives of non-governmental organisations) to review use of force trends. Periodically, the Home Office (or its Professional Standards Unit if the Home Office considers it more appropriate) must review use of force at Brook House and across the immigration detention estate, to identify trends and to direct the implementation of any changes and improvements that are required. This review process must be reflected in the new detention services order regarding the use of force – see Recommendation 15 – in respect of which additional, regular (at least annual) training must then be provided.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
The government referenced training and escalation systems for use of force incidents, and stated that the Service Improvement Plan included use of force monthly meetings and formal review processes (Official government response, 19 March 2024). This was on track for closure by summer 2025 (Angela Eagle, Written PQ 23170, 15 January 2025). An independent review in August 2025 noted functioning complaints procedures and the appointment of two new Diversity Coordinators, but did not specifically confirm the implementation of mandatory use of force debrief training or a multi-level review process (HM Inspectorate of Prisons, August 2025).
How was this assessed?
Assessed by gemini-2.5-flash on 18 Mar 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
External sources searched: www.gov.uk, www.legislation.gov.uk, hansard.parliament.uk
Jurisdiction
England
Response
Accepted in Part
Accepted in Part Home Office
19 Mar 2024

Training and escalation systems for use of force incidents are referenced in the government response. The Service Improvement Plan references use of force monthly meetings and formal review processes.

Read Full Response
Progress Timeline
Parliamentary Answer
14 Jan 2025

Angela Eagle, Written PQ 23170 (15 January 2025): 'On track for closure by summer 2025.'

Published Evidence

Published assessments of implementation progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Check the source type badge to see whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.

Reasonable Progress
03 Sep 2025
HM Inspectorate of Prisons Inspection Report

Complaints procedures functioning. Two new Diversity Coordinators appointed September 2024.

View detailed findings

Based on Independent Review of Progress visit in August 2025, following up 13 concerns from August 2024 inspection. Brook House run by Serco held 192 detainees at time of visit.

Report on an independent review of progress at Br… View Source
Insufficient Progress
19 Sep 2024
Brook House Inquiry Chair Other

Inquiry Chair Kate Eves described government response as "inadequate" and called for a "reset" with the new government. Warned abuse "becomes a question of when, not if" it happens again.

View detailed findings

In September 2024, Kate Eves told Channel 4 News she was "disappointed with what I see as an inadequate response by the former government to an important report." She noted the inquiry cost about £20 million over four years. Home Office lawyers had argued her "recommendations are not binding."

Channel 4 News interview, September 2024
Source
Report The Brook House Inquiry Report 19 Sep 2023
Responsible Bodies
Home Office Primary
Recommendation age 2.5 yrs
Last formal update 434 days ago