Immigration detention is not the answer, for anyone.
People are detained without a time limit, for months, sometimes even years.
It is harmful and expensive. It robs people of their dignity, spirit and lives.
This can’t go on.
We are working towards an immigration system that is based on humanity, compassion and fairness.
A 28-day time limit
on immigration detention for all
Automatic judicial oversight
of detention decisions after 72 hours
An end to the detention
of vulnerable people
Community-based alternatives to detention that respect rights can minimise the use of detention, reducing costs and helping people to live with dignity in the community while going through the immigration process.
Afghanistan
Alongside so many people in the country and across the world, we are appalled at the human tragedy which is rapidly unfolding in Afghanistan. As a result of the great work that many of our members are doing [...]
APPG inquiry into ‘quasi detention’
We are delighted to see that the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Immigration Detention has launched an inquiry into the UK Government’s use of large-scale institutional sites, such as former military barracks and a temporarily ‘de-designated’ Immigration [...]
Our statement on the Home Office New Plan for Immigration
Asylum and detention We believe that the inhumane practice of detention should have no part in the asylum process (or indeed in a humane and just immigration system). We firmly believe that we should not lock up people [...]
Use of former army barracks
At our members' meeting last month, we heard from two of our members, Kent Refugee Help and Samphire, about the recent use of army barracks in Kent to accommodate people seeking asylum. Our members are really concerned at [...]
Proposed new detention centre
We were very disappointed, when we were alerted by one of our members recently, about a proposed new detention centre in the North East. The Northern Echo reported that Government plans to scrap a residential development in favour of [...]
New members
Over the last few months we have been having a series of conversations with organisations which are interested in our work and wanted to explore membership of our Forum. And we are delighted that Action Foundation, Ben and [...]
#Unlocked
Unlocking Detention is a twitter tour of the Detention Estate
Get in touch
The Detention Forum is hosted by the Refugee Council.
You can contact the Project Director at detentionforum[at]gmail.com, who works several days a week.
🗣“If you’re one of the vast majority of refugees who get to the UK via unofficial routes, you face prison-like camps, deportation, even jail.”
Essential reading by our @nadiaiona on the dangers of gov’s Borders Bill - going through Parliament this month.
https://www.huckmag.com/perspectives/opinion-perspectives/the-borders-bill-is-a-violent-solution-to-an-imaginary-crisis/
Home Office admits that Borders Bill won't stop channel crossings and has significant scope for discrimination.
Solution: #SafeRoutes
It really is that simple.
https://bit.ly/3tRz0Gr
This is an amazing resource for people stuck in the UK's terrible asylum and immigration system and for people supporting them.
Govt uses pandemic as excuse for its excessive and obscene reliance on locking people up for administrative convenience. And engages in culture wars to defend the indefensible.
The Govt must stop ignoring the suffering caused by terrible policies.
https://bit.ly/39e5Bgf