Source · IMB Annual Report
Brook House
Year: 2020
Published: 21 May 2021
Type: Prison · Cat IRC
Population: 95
Recommendations: 11
Key concerns
Positive findings
In 2020, Brook House IRC faced significant challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a contract change to Serco, and a compressed charter flight programme for Dublin Convention removals. The Board found the centre unsafe for vulnerable detainees in the latter months, marked by a dramatic increase in self-harm and suicidal ideation, and inhumane treatment of detainees due to Home Office policies. Delays in Rule 35 assessments, inadequate inductions, and issues with property and communication from the Home Office were key concerns, despite a welcome increase in staff numbers and some improvements in facilities.
Safety statistics
| Indicator | This year | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Prisoner assaults | 11 | 20 |
| Assaults on staff | 45 | 82 |
| Use of force | 197 | 223 |
| Drug finds | 25 | 45 |
Positive findings
The Board welcomed the increase in staffing numbers following Serco taking over the contract on 21 May. Improvements were also noted in IT systems for detainees, the opening of education rooms on weekends, and the fixing of defects in rooms for detainees with disabilities. The Home Office was commended for treating age dispute cases with NRM claims as minors. A Serco social worker provided beneficial additional support to vulnerable detainees. Relationships between officers and detainees were generally positive, and Rule 40 reviews were conducted sensitively. Serco's plans to separate safer community and equality/diversity governance meetings were welcomed, as was the reintroduction of detainee consultation forums and spiritual support from the religious affairs team.
Key concerns
Safety
Brook House was not a safe place for vulnerable detainees who had crossed the Channel in small boats.
Mental Health
A dramatic increase in levels of self-harm and suicidal ideation was observed.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Deficiencies in the induction process, which became ad hoc and inconsistent, often delivered by untrained staff, causing confusion.
Healthcare
Serious delays in access to Rule 35 assessments and increased needs for legal support.
Other
Circumstances related to the Dublin Convention charter programme amounted to inhumane treatment of the detainee population by the Home Office.
Resettlement/Release
Large numbers of detainees were detained for removal but later released, having been exposed to the harmful effects of detention.
Resettlement/Release
Some detainees granted bail were not released for a considerable time due to a lack of suitable accommodation.
Resettlement/Release
Absence of formal arrangements for briefing receiving authorities about the vulnerabilities of removed detainees, especially those on ACCTs.
Resettlement/Release
Detainees were not given advance information about what would happen to them in receiving countries if removed under the Dublin Convention.
Equality/Diversity
Interpretation services were not always readily available or of good quality, especially for Arabic and Farsi speakers.
Other
Difficulties in maintaining access to solicitors were noted.
Safety
A failure to identify vulnerabilities such as age and torture claims at an early stage.
Complaints/Property
Confiscation of mobile phones and loss of property by the Home Office or Border Force, causing distress and loss of family contact, with no effective system for recovery or contact for detainees.
Other
Poor and delayed communication from the Home Office regarding removal plans, often leading to unnecessary distress and self-harm incidents.
Healthcare
The healthcare service was over-stretched.
Safety
Apparent failures in identifying risk and vulnerabilities at different stages in the overall Home Office detention system.
Staffing
Occasional desensitised attitudes among some staff towards detainees' self-harm or food refusals, which should be challenged by management.
Segregation
Questionable pre-emptive use of Rule 40 in some instances.
Safety
An increased prevalence of use of force this year, particularly after the shift to a more vulnerable population.
Safety
Delays in informing the Board about some use of force incidents.
Safety
Absence of Home Office personnel in ACCT or constant supervision reviews.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Fewer opportunities for detainees to be consulted or engaged, such as in detainee forums.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Weak Wi-Fi signals on the wings affecting the use of translation tablets.
Complaints/Property
Concerns that the small number of complaints might reflect detainees' unfamiliarity or lack of confidence with the complaints process, especially for the new population.
Other
Repeated
Disappointment that Home Office reviews of Adults at Risk (AAR), ACCT, and Rule 35 policies and procedures, recommended in 2019, have been 'paused'.
Safety
Repeated
The Adults at Risk (AAR) system did not adequately capture an individual's level of vulnerability or deterioration, as observed in prolonged detention cases.
Recommendations
| # | Recommendation | Addressee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduce a time limit for immigration detention. Repeated | Ministry of Justice | |
| 2 | Review systems and processes in the detention journey, to ensure that vulnerabilities such as age, modern slavery and Rule 35 torture claims are identified and assessed at earliest stages. | Home Office | |
| 3 | The Board repeats all of its recommendations from 2019 relating to reviews of adults at risk; and assessment, care in detention and teamwork (ACDT) and Rule 35 policies and processes. Repeated | Home Office | |
| 4 | There should be a requirement for systematic and ongoing review of vulnerable detainees, to monitor the effect of continued detention on their wellbeing. Repeated | Home Office | |
| 5 | Review arrangements for the provision of suitable accommodation for detainees granted bail to reduce waiting times. | Home Office | |
| 6 | Ensure that inductions for new arrivals are consistent in delivery and content, and backed up by written information in the languages of detainees in the centre. | Governor / Director | |
| 7 | Continue assessments for escorted visits, to see if the use of handcuffs can be reduced further. Repeated | Governor / Director | |
| 8 | The Board recognises early improvements made but is of the view that more needs to be done in the offer and consistent delivery of a wide programme of organised and purposeful activities for detainees. Repeated | Governor / Director | |
| 9 | Design and deliver a range of vocational training to prepare detainees for their release. Repeated | Governor / Director | |
| 10 | Keep staff recruitment and retention as a priority. Repeated | NHS / Healthcare Provider | |
| 11 | There should be a requirement for systematic and ongoing review of vulnerable detainees, to monitor the effect of continued detention on their wellbeing. Repeated | NHS / Healthcare Provider |
Applications to the IMB
| Category | Current | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (including transfers) | 4 | 18 |
| Detention conditions | 2 | 12 |
| Food | 4 | 14 |
| General | 1 | 10 |
| Immigration case work | 4 | 32 |
| Legal | 0 | 10 |
| Medical | 5 | 19 |
| Other | 0 | 0 |
| Property | 2 | 42 |
| Staff behaviour | 17 | 44 |
| Total | 39 | 201 |
Related inspections & investigations
Report details
- Establishment
- Brook House
- Type
- Prison · Cat IRC
- Report year
- 2020
- Published
- 21 May 2021
- Responsible body
- Brook House Immigration Removal Centre
- Recommendations
- 11
Population
| Population | 95 |
| Operational capacity | 358 |
Service providers
Catering
Serco Ltd
Centre Operator
Serco Ltd
Cleaning
Serco Ltd
Detainee support
The Samaritans
Immigration escort provider
Mitie Care & Custody
Medical services
G4S Health Services Ltd
Primary mental healthcare
G4S Health Services Ltd
Psychosocial substance misuse services
The Forward Trust
Secondary mental health services
Elysium Healthcare
Shop
Serco Ltd