Source · IMB Annual Report
Yarl’s Wood
Year: 2022
Published: 7 Jul 2023
Type: Prison · Cat IRC
Population: 423
Recommendations: 7
Key concerns
Positive findings
Yarl’s Wood IRC experienced a shift to a male-only population, including a significant increase in foreign national offenders, during the reporting year. The Board noted an increase in violence, self-harm incidents, and use of force, alongside persistent challenges with staff recruitment, retention, and communication due to language barriers. While healthcare provision was largely commended, concerns remain regarding the length of detention, delays in bail releases, and the need for more comprehensive planning for release and resettlement, particularly for FNOs.
Safety statistics
| Indicator | This year | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Deaths in custody | 0 | — |
| Self-harm incidents | 18 | 16 |
| ACCT cases opened | 143 | 92 |
| Prisoner assaults | 15 | — |
| Assaults on staff | 14 | — |
| Use of force | 53 | 23 |
Positive findings
Yarl’s Wood is generally a safe environment and detained persons are treated fairly and humanely. Healthcare provision by NHFT continues to be of good quality and staffing in mental healthcare has been maintained. The accuracy of information on IS91 forms has improved, and initial assessments for under 18s have decreased. Officers respond confidently to self-harm incidents, and a new multifaith room has opened. Staff demonstrate supportive and caring behaviour, and the centre has increased diversity forums and cultural events.
Key concerns
Safety
An increase in violence, including physical and verbal altercations between residents and assaults on staff.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Increasing numbers of Foreign National Offenders (FNOs) experiencing long lengths of stay without the removal process starting in prison.
Equality/Diversity
Delays in securing interpreters, leading to communication difficulties and isolation for non-English speakers.
Resettlement/Release
Detainees granted bail experiencing significant delays in release due to a lack of suitable accommodation.
Mental Health
The length of detention and uncertainty contributing to mental health issues, violence, depression, and self-harm.
Safety
Inadequate transfer of ACCT paperwork for men released into the community and insufficient mental health information from prisons.
Safety
Bullying and ethnic tensions among residents, with some feeling unsafe due to a dominant ethnic group.
Estate/Conditions
A decline in standards of cleanliness and tidiness around the centre, particularly during periods of high occupancy.
Food/Catering
Complaints about the food, reflecting cultural preferences and general frustration, and issues with food quality (e.g., mouldy bread).
Segregation
A notable increase in the use of IRC rules 40 and 42 (separation), often becoming a default option for non-compliant or aggressive behaviour stemming from frustration over case progress and length of detention.
Staffing
Staff using inappropriate vocabulary or making inappropriate comments, contributing to escalation rather than de-escalation.
Staffing
Recruitment problems impacting the Detention Engagement Team (DET) capacity to support detainees with their cases.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
RSTHF-detained men often not understanding their situation or what would happen next, particularly those arriving from the south coast.
Other
Detainees' property, especially phones, not being forwarded from police stations, causing distress and communication difficulties with relatives.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Lack of feedback and progress on individual casework, leading to consistent themes of frustration, self-harm attempts, and violent behaviours.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
An observed increase in the length of detention, with 29% of detainees staying longer than one month, and some over a year.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Shortage of Skype slots, leading to detainees having to share 30-minute contact periods.
Resettlement/Release
No specific planning for the welfare of detainees returning home beyond some funds for airport transport.
Resettlement/Release
Delays in release into the UK due to pressures on H.M. Prison and Probation Service regarding suitability checks for addresses and sponsors.
Safety
Inhumane assistance provided to a physically disabled person with two broken arms being removed to Switzerland, raising concerns about lack of support at the airport or on the plane.
Recommendations
| # | Recommendation | Addressee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduce a time limit for immigration detention. | Ministry of Justice | |
| 2 | Start the removal process for FNOs in prison before they are transferred from HMIP to the IRC estate. | Home Office | |
| 3 | Reduce length of stay by improving processes relating to asylum status and/or removal to reduce length of stay. | Home Office | |
| 4 | Review and streamline the arrangements for the provision of suitable accommodation for detained persons granted bail to reduce waiting times (see section 7.2). | Home Office | |
| 5 | The Board recommends that the culture of professional conduct and behaviour is maintained through the officers’ training, inductions and ongoing review and monitoring. | Governor / Director | |
| 6 | Keep staff recruitment and retention as a priority. | Governor / Director | |
| 7 | The Board recommends that NHFT continues to maintain the excellent staffing levels and services of the last year. | NHS / Healthcare Provider |
Applications to the IMB
| Category | Current | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation including laundry, showers | 0 | 0 |
| Equality | 0 | 0 |
| Escorts | 0 | 0 |
| Finance including detained person’s centre accounts | 0 | 0 |
| Food and kitchens | 1 | 1 |
| Health including physical, mental, social care | 5 | 0 |
| Issues relating to detained person’s immigration case, including access to legal advice | 17 | 2 |
| Letters, faxes, visits, phones, internet access | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 4 | 1 |
| Property during transfer or in another establishment or location | 0 | 0 |
| Property within centre | 1 | 0 |
| Purposeful activity including education, paid work, training, library, other activities | 0 | 0 |
| Staff/detained persons conduct, including bullying | 2 | 1 |
| Use of force, removal from association | 1 | 0 |
Other reports for Yarl’s Wood
Report details
- Establishment
- Yarl’s Wood
- Type
- Prison · Cat IRC
- Report year
- 2022
- Published
- 7 July 2023
- Responsible body
- Yarl’s Wood IRC
- Recommendations
- 7
Population
| Population | 423 |
| Operational capacity | 410 |
Service providers
Bail Advice
Bail for Immigration Detainees (BID)
Centre Management
Serco
Emotional and Practical Support
Beyond Detention (previously Yarl’s Wood Befrienders)
Family Tracing
Red Cross
Healthcare
Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT)
LGBTQ+ Support
UK Lesbian and Gay Immigration Group
Pharmacy
Boots Chemist
Resettlement Advice
Hibiscus
Wellbeing Support
Kaleidoscope Group