Epidemic of mistreatment in the asylum system

Yesterday, the Guardian reported allegations from lawyers that there is an "epidemic of mistreatment" in the asylum system.

Shamik Dutta, of the law firm Fisher Meredith, was one of the lawyers reported and said he had dealt with 15 or 20 cases in the past three years. "The callous and unlawful mistreatment of detainees is continuing, and is not just harming extremely vulnerable and damaged individuals but also costing the economy millions of pounds … it is clear there is an epidemic of mistreatment leading to civil claims going through the courts."

David Wood, strategic director for the criminality and detention group at the UK Border Agency, said the agency sought to exercise its power to detain people "reasonably and lawfully, [while] maintaining effective immigration control and protecting the public from harm". Yet officials accepted that the figure for special payments made in compensation over the past three years runs to millions of pounds.

From the limited contact I have had with UK Border Agency to date I fully support the case being made by these lawyers against the way in which the Agency and its staff carry out their responsibilities.
 
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Solomon Burke - None Of Us Are Free.