Prison
Cat IRC
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
Charter Flight Monitoring Team
IMB Annual Report 2025 · Published 28 May 2026
The Charter Flight Monitoring Team (CFMT) monitors and reports on the conditions for, and treatment of, people detained under immigration powers who are removed from the UK on charter flights. In 2025, the CFMT monitored operations to Albania, Romania, Vietnam, India, Pakistan and France. A significant proportion of individuals subjected to enforced removals are recognised as highly vulnerable.
Positive Findings
Relationships between staff and returnees were generally observed to be very positive, with escorts remaining focused on trying to engage with the returnee in their charge, despite the long journey times. The empathetic way some coach commanders (CCs) approached the meet-and-greet process did much to reduce stress and is to be commended. As a result of the IMB Staff - on behalf of the CFMT - seeking legal advice on the process of removing returnees from secure mental health facilities, a new instruction was issued by the Home Office in mid-2025.
Key Concerns
Other
Repeated
For the last two years, the CFMT’s reports have highlighted HOIE’s removal of people with known vulnerabilities.
Safety
The CFMT observed 28 instances of UoF and noted concerns around inadequate de-escalation, a lack of preparation prior to restraint being applied (potentially endangering both returnee and staff) and, at times, inconsistent and contradictory paperwork.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Repeated
Once again, as in previous years, we report that some returnees have spent excessive time on board coaches or ‘chase’ vehicles (vans designed to accommodate a single returnee with accompanying escorts), waiting for long periods at IRCs before departure or on arrival at the airport.
Equality/Diversity
Significant concerns were raised throughout the reporting year about inadequate interpretation, which meant many returnees did not understand what was being asked of them or what was happening.
Healthcare
The numerous documents for each charter flight and returnee do not always make the potential vulnerabilities of individuals clear, raising concerns that escorts may not be aware that those they are looking after may have specific medical or mental health needs.
Board Commentary
Staffing
C&C has explained - and the CFMT accept - that interpreting is not part of the escorting role; that training is not provided; and that interpreting may put escorts at risk. However, the reality is that such a service is routinely provided by escorts, CCs and IRC staff. The CFMT is concerned that this process should be reconsidered to ensure that helpful staff with valuable skills are appropriately supported and deployed to best effect.
Healthcare
Paramedics assume responsibility for the physical and mental healthcare of every person subject to removal. They take on responsibility for confidential medical documents and prescribed medication for the whole of the journey. From our observations, the paramedics have been thorough, thoughtful and professional.
Regime & Daily Life
As recorded in previous annual reports and in detail in our operational monitoring reports produced after each operation, returnees continue to be held in coaches or chase vehicles for excessive periods of time. Coaches are used to transport most returnees from IRCs to departure airports. Throughout the year in review, we have reported a variety of concerns, including erratic driving and drivers appearing to be tired, as well as several instances of coaches being too hot and the air-conditioning not working.
Recommendations (9)
Ministry of Justice: 1
HMPPS: 2
Governor / Director: 6
1 repeated
Recommendation 1
What further action will the Minister take to ensure that vulnerable people subjected to enforced return receive adequate, appropriate and trauma-informed support throughout the process? See 4.3.2 and 4.4.5.
Ministry of Justice
Safety
Recommendation 2
What measures are in place to ensure that the escorting contractor consistently applies correct techniques?
HMPPS
Safety
Recommendation 3
when will the HOIE provide essential documentation, similar to that routinely given to the CFMT on arrival at the muster, to ensure they have the information to carry out their responsibilities effectively? See 4.1.
HMPPS
equality
Recommendation 4
We ask that this decision is revisited on a case-by-case basis with each IRC.
Governor / Director
regime
Recommendation 5
Can a more nuanced evaluation of compliance be developed, to reduce the risk of unnecessary UoF intervention at this early stage?
Governor / Director
Safety
Recommendation 6
Repeated
What will be done to address as a matter of urgency? See 5.4.1-5.4.3.
Governor / Director
regime
Recommendation 7
Consideration should be given to offering specialised training and support for escorts who are willing to undertake this role, so that it becomes a formalised part of their duties rather than an unregulated task operating ‘under the radar’. See 5.8.7.
Governor / Director
equality
Recommendation 8
When will more be done to ensure escorts are making PER entries of an acceptable standard and that regular training and support is offered? See 5.7.2.
Governor / Director
staffing
Recommendation 9
Will measures be taken be taken to ensure that the CFMT receives the movement orders of returnees as part of the pre-flight information at muster - rather than solely on the coach - so that we can properly identify and monitor the most vulnerable returnees?
Governor / Director
Safety