Source · IMB Annual Report
Charter Flight Monitoring Team
Year: 2025
Published: 28 May 2026
Type: Prison · Cat IRC
Recommendations: 9
Key concerns
Positive findings
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.
Safety statistics
| Indicator | This year | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Use of force | 28 | — |
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.
Recommendations
| # | Recommendation | Addressee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| 2 | What measures are in place to ensure that the escorting contractor consistently applies correct techniques? | HMPPS | |
| 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 | |
| 4 | We ask that this decision is revisited on a case-by-case basis with each IRC. | Governor / Director | |
| 5 | Can a more nuanced evaluation of compliance be developed, to reduce the risk of unnecessary UoF intervention at this early stage? | Governor / Director | |
| 6 | What will be done to address as a matter of urgency? See 5.4.1-5.4.3. Repeated | Governor / Director | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 |
Report details
- Establishment
- Charter Flight Monitoring Team
- Type
- Prison · Cat IRC
- Report year
- 2025
- Published
- 28 May 2026
- Responsible body
- Charter Flight Monitoring Team (CFMT)
- Recommendations
- 9
Service providers
Escort contractor
Mitie Care and Custody Limited (C&C)
Healthcare services
IPRS Aeromed (Aeromed)