Heathrow immigration removal centre

The board has reached the consensus that the centre is less safe than previous years. There has been an increasing number of fights and assaults between detained people, an increasing number of assaults on staff and a number of frequent lock downs of individual wings. Increase in areas of concern are the number of throwovers, illicit drugs, vapes and phones. In 2023, 44 throwovers were recorded as compared to zero in 2022.

We remain concerned that people who are mentally unfit for detention are still assessed and approved by the Home Office Detention Gatekeeper for detention. The impact of Operation Safeguard wherein more Foreign National Offenders (FNOs) were held at the IRC on the conclusion of their sentence, increased the levels of violence and exposed custodial staff to a different set of challenges. The population of FNOs at the start of 2023 vs the end was 376 vs 109, the 376 representing 49.7% of the total population.

The IMB feels that failings of the detention engagement team (DET) to engage effectively may have contributed to feelings of frustration and powerlessness for some people detained at the Centre, potentially leading to incidents of self-harm.

4 The fairness and humanity in which detained people are treated is severely tested by the dilapidated nature of the infrastructure at the Centre. The Board notes, in particular, the frequency of loss of services (power, gas, water and communications) throughout the year.

The Board recognises the difficulties encountered in catering for a diverse population of detained people on a limited budget but remains concerned about the effect the variety, quantity and quality of the food on offer is having on the physical and mental well-being of those detained, as well as on the safety and security of the Centre. There is a strong request for more fresh vegetables and more salad.

7 The CSU was used 52 times in the year to facilitate removal directions, in some cases a number of days in advance of flights which were then cancelled. The Board note that the CSU was used to house detained people who refused, to share a room when the Centre was nowhere near full capacity.

We have been told repeatedly by detained people that there is no point making complaints regarding contracted services, because they will not be properly investigated. The statistics for 2023 noted that a total number of 242 complaints were made, 77% of which were unsubstantiated and 9% were partly substantiated. The number of official complaints relating to the Contractor that were ‘unsubstantiated’ would seem to lend some credibility to these concerns. The Board considers that this is an area which could benefit from greater arms-length investigation. In our view, complaints should not in the first instance be investigated by Contractor officers based in the Centre. We believe this would help to build trust in the system.

At times staff shortages and a lack of escorts meant that hospital appointments had to be cancelled, leading to a worse health outcome for the detained person. In one instance, a detained man who became unwell at 7pm was told nothing could be done to help him until the next day, he was finally taken to hospital the next day at 1pm. There were 210 urgent hospital appointments in 2023 and 400 non urgent referrals to hospital.

Too many detained people are held for unacceptably long periods without the prospect of imminent removal, including those held for over 200 days.

The Board repeats it’s concerns about the time taken to find suitable accommodation for those granted bail, particularly for time served foreign national offenders (TSFNO). The population of FNO’s is steadily growing. In 2023 the population at CB grew to over 44% and at HW the population grew to over 66%, levelling out to over 50% of the population by the end of the year. On top of the inconsistent communication between the Home Office, Probation Services and local authorities, the Board observed poor communication with the detained individuals themselves about their bail situation.

Significant increase in throwovers (44 in 2023 vs zero in 2022) containing drugs and contraband, indicating a breach in security.

Lack of progress on crucial investment in infrastructure, especially heating and ventilation systems, despite previous recommendations and a delayed new contract.

The Board has many concerns regarding the application of Detention Centre Rule 35. There is an issue surrounding adherence to Home Office deadlines for responding to Rule 35 reports. After accepting receipt, responses to Rule 35 reports should be provided by the Home Office within two working days, and the response must be copied to the detained person’s legal representative. All reports are reviewed, and the appropriateness of the individual’s detention considered. A responsible officer must take prompt action to release the individual, if appropriate. Many of the Rule 35 reports are not responded to within the timeline of two working days and as a result, many adults at risks remained detained when they should have been released. The IMB observed many people that remained detained for more than 100 days and were still waiting to be released. This is an unacceptable practice. Priority must be given to those identified as an Adult at Risk and timelines regarding Rule 35 adhered to.

The Board consider Rules 40 and 42 are being misused. There were several instances in 2023 where Rule 40 and 42 have been used for prolonged situations. It is imperative that Rules 40 and 42 are used for the shortest possible time and as a means of last resort. It should not be used to hold mentally ill detained people or for those who refuse to share a room. CSU is not the solution to these problems. An alternative mental health pathway needs to be established to care for people experiencing mental health problems in detention. The IMB have observed prolonged detention in CSU to increase anxiety and the poor mental health of detained people, many of whom are already suffering from trauma.