Source · IMB Annual Report
Heathrow Immigration Removal Centre
Year: 2020
Published: 9 Jun 2021
Type: IRC · Cat IRC
Recommendations: 14
Key concerns
Positive findings
The IMB report for Heathrow IRC (Jan-Dec 2020) highlights that the Centre generally maintained safety and humane treatment, successfully minimizing COVID-19 spread and sustaining services during lockdowns. Key concerns remain regarding the detention of individuals with severe mental health issues, inadequate detention gatekeeping, and the presence of illegal substances. Delays in police response, issues with remote DET engagement, and long periods of detention for some individuals are also noted as significant challenges.
Safety statistics
| Indicator | This year | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Self-harm incidents | 220 | — |
| ACCT cases opened | 589 | 1,148 |
| Prisoner assaults | 62 | 101 |
| Assaults on staff | 18 | 47 |
| Use of force | 149 | — |
| Drug finds | 48 | — |
Positive findings
The Board recognizes the effort and perseverance demonstrated by the Contractor, the Home Office and the NHS provider to minimize the spread of Covid through the Centre, resulting in only 5 positive cases among detainees. The introduction of virtual reality headsets for induction, allowing detainees to learn at their own pace and in their chosen language, is welcomed. The Board commends all those involved in maintaining good provision of services, including learning opportunities, health, exercise, fitness, and recreation, throughout lockdowns. Staff in the Care and Separation Units consistently display caring, professional, and patient behavior, especially with non-English speaking detainees. The Home Office team received a national award for safe detainee management and swift operational response to the pandemic. Additionally, the Contractor is commended for maintaining training and educational facilities and fostering a Centre more focused on detainees' needs and sensitivities, with a stronger Safer Community Team.
Key concerns
Mental Health
Repeated
The detention of people with severe mental health illnesses, and the impact that being in a custodial environment has on them, which is often a trigger to self-harm.
Substance Misuse
Illegal substances are present in the Centre.
Safety
Delays in Police response to incidents within the Centre lead to unnecessarily long periods of isolation and can lead to further anxiety and disruptive behaviour.
Complaints/Property
The removal of face to face engagement by the Detainee Engagement Team (DET) necessitates the sharing of sensitive and difficult information over the telephone and has led to distress and anxiety for detainees.
Mental Health
Repeated
Shortcomings with the detention gatekeeping process, allowing detainees with serious mental health issues still arrive in the Centre.
Estate/Conditions
Ongoing heating and ventilation failures on both sites impact negatively on detainees’ overall wellbeing.
Other
Repeated
Too many detainees are held for unacceptably long periods with no prospect of removal.
Resettlement/Release
Limited availability of formal guidance or information for detainees prior to removal, particularly where they are being sent to another country.
Resettlement/Release
The challenge of finding appropriate accommodation for certain ex-detainees has sometimes resulted in bail lapsing and the process having to restart, creating added anxiety for the detainee, and lengthening the time they spend in detention.
Recommendations
| # | Recommendation | Addressee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | The policy which results in people with severe mental health issues being held in IRCs should be reviewed. Repeated | Other | |
| 3 | Greater efforts should be made to remove time served foreign national offenders (TSFNO) on completion of time served, rather than moving them to the Immigration Detention Estate before arrangements are made for removal. Repeated | Other | |
| 3 | Consideration should be given to making and maintaining greater provision for female detainees within reasonable travelling distance of the main ports and airports. The current situation results in long journeys and affects detainees’ well-being. | Other | |
| 3 | The practice of conducting the majority of DET consultations with detainees over the telephone should be reviewed in order to ensure that all discussions which might be considered ‘sensitive’ are held in person, whilst in line with whatever Government pandemic guidance is current at the time. | Home Office | |
| 3 | The procedures followed in the detention gate-keeping process should be reviewed to ensure that the processes in place to protect those with severe mental health issues from being detained in the Immigration Estate are robust and effective. Repeated | Home Office | |
| 3 | The Home Office should investigate the on-going issues with regard to heat and cold on both sites and support the Contractor by providing funding to undertake major capital works if needed to resolve them and create a more appropriate environment. | Home Office | |
| 3 | The Home Office should support the Contractor in achieving the cooperation of the Police in responding to incidents in a timelier manner. | Home Office | |
| 3 | The Home Office and DET should provide greater guidance for detainees returning to a country where they have not lived for some time, ensuring that they are better equipped for their return. | Home Office | |
| 3 | Fire drills should be reinstated | Governor / Director | |
| 3 | Consideration should be given to making the Care Suite available to a greater number of detainees in distress, even if this results in a wider definition of being ‘in crisis’. | Governor / Director | |
| 3 | As soon as practically possible the Detainee Consultative Committee meeting should be resumed at scale to take account of the concerns of all detainees on both sites. These meetings are helpful in ensuring that detainees’ views are heard and their needs are met. | Governor / Director | |
| 3 | The investment made in the Safer Community Team and the associated working practices should be continued, ensuring that good practice in violence reduction, anti-bullying and the development of a community in which everyone is respected is at the core of the Centre and practiced by all members of the community (See 4.4.12). The Board would support the Centre Manager in requesting continued funding from the Home Office to enable this. | Governor / Director | |
| 3 | Efforts should be made and training provided as necessary to ensure that the health screening on arrival is a useful tool, ensuring that potential vulnerabilities are identified at the start of a period of detention and can be taken account of. | NHS / Healthcare Provider | |
| 3 | The Healthcare manager’s efforts to achieve full staffing should be supported, ensuring that vacancies are filled and creating more senior practitioner posts where necessary to create a more effective service. | NHS / Healthcare Provider |
Other reports for Heathrow Immigration Removal Centre
Report details
- Establishment
- Heathrow Immigration Removal Centre
- Type
- IRC · Cat IRC
- Report year
- 2020
- Published
- 9 June 2021
- Responsible body
- London Heathrow and City Airports
- Recommendations
- 14
Population
| Operational capacity | 469 |
| CNA (designed for) | 1,056 |
Service providers
Escorting Services
Mitie Escorting Services
Healthcare
Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL)
Operator
Mitie Care & Custody (C&C)