A public inquiry into the mistreatment of immigration detainees has heard a BBC Panorama documentary revealed "shocking" treatment which had "no place in a decent and humane" system.
The inquiry into Brook House removal centre, near Gatwick, is examining mistreatment of detainees, as well as the attitudes and culture of staff.
It follows a series of investigations triggered by Panorama in 2017.
At the time, G4S ran the Sussex centre, but Serco took it over last year.
As the inquiry began, detainees told the BBC about conditions at Brook House now.
One former detainee, now held at Brook House and expecting to be deported, said there was a "tense atmosphere".
"Two nights ago everyone refused to go into their cells in protest. There are rumours of people wanting to go on a mass hunger strike," he said, claiming there had been at least 14 Covid cases.
Others complained about the length of time it took to resolve immigration cases.
One current detainee said he was desperate to be sent home. He claimed 20 out of 65 people in one wing would leave the country willingly but the Home Office had not allowed it.
Another former detainee and a convicted criminal said: "If you are in prison you know the judge has given you a length of two or three years. In a detention centre you don't know when you're coming out. You can't handle it."
He said he had spent as long in three detention centres, including Brook House, as he had in prison.
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