Source · Independent investigations
Detention Investigations
Independent investigations into immigration detention and prison conditions. Includes the Shaw Reviews, Verita investigations into Yarl's Wood and Brook House, and PPO special investigations into incidents at detention facilities.
8 investigations
331 recommendations
5 sectors
3 with gov response
Investigations
Medomsley Detention Centre · Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
PPO special investigation into historical physical and sexual abuse at Medomsley Detention Centre between 1961 and 1987, commissioned by Lord Chancellor Alex Chalk in October 2023.
3 recs Report PDF
Yarl's Wood IRC · Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
PPO special investigation into the disturbance and escapes at Yarl's Wood IRC on 28-29 April 2023. Report shared with the Home Office but not published publicly.
Brook House IRC · Verita
Independent investigation commissioned by G4S into concerns about the treatment of detainees at Brook House Immigration Removal Centre, conducted by Kate Lampard and Ed Marsden of Verita.
52 recs Report PDF
· Stephen Shaw
Follow-up assessment by Stephen Shaw examining government progress against recommendations from his 2016 review of welfare in immigration detention.
44 recs Report PDF Gov Response
· Stephen Shaw
Independent review commissioned by the Home Secretary into the welfare of vulnerable persons in immigration detention, conducted by Stephen Shaw, former Prisons and Probation Ombudsman.
64 recs Report PDF Gov Response
Yarl's Wood IRC · Verita
Independent investigation commissioned by Serco into concerns about the treatment of detainees at Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre, conducted by Kate Lampard and Ed Marsden of Verita.
35 recs Report PDF
Oakington IRC · Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
PPO special investigation into allegations of racism and mistreatment of detainees at Oakington Immigration Reception Centre, commissioned after the BBC documentary 'Detention Undercover'.
54 recs Report PDF
Yarl's Wood IRC · Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
PPO special investigation into the disturbance and fire at Yarl's Wood Removal Centre on 14-15 February 2002, approximately three months after the centre opened.
79 recs Report PDF Gov Response
Collection coverage
7 of 8 investigations (88%) have recommendations indexed, averaging 47 across those reports.
3 investigations (38%) have a published government response. Publication of a response does not establish implementation.
Immigration Detention accounts for 7 of the 8 indexed investigations.
Visualisations
By sector
Read the chart values
| Sector | Investigations |
|---|---|
| Immigration Detention | 7 |
| Prisons | 1 |
By year
Read the chart values
| Year | Investigations |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
Top organisations
Read the chart values
| Organisation | Investigations |
|---|---|
| Yarl's Wood IRC | 3 |
| Oakington IRC | 1 |
| Medomsley Detention Centre | 1 |
| Brook House IRC | 1 |