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.
News
Consultancy advert: Project Director
22 November 2019 The Detention Forum is seeking an expression of interest from consultants to provide services as a new Project Director. The Detention Forum is an advocacy network of over 40 groups which challenges the UK’s use [...]
‘In Three Words’ – Unlocking Detention
Can you describe immigration detention in three words? As part of this year's Unlocking Detention (from 11 November to 19 December 2019), we are asking people to take part in ‘In Three Words’ action to unlock the gates [...]
Digging beneath the detention statistics, 2019: what has changed?
Digging beneath the detention statistics, 2019: what has changed? This blog was written by one of our member organisations, AVID, which supports volunteer visitors to people held in immigration detention, and appeared originally on their website. Official statistics released today show [...]
Two announcements from the Home Office, days before Caroline Nokes’ departure
Two announcements from the Home Office, days before Caroline Nokes’ departure Statement: Immigration Detention Reform On 23 July 2019, the outgoing Immigration Minister, Caroline Nokes, issued a statement entitled “Immigration Detention Reform”, announcing that there has been a 40% reduction [...]
Beyond outrage, and being part of the change
One of the things we value most is an ongoing discussion with some of the Detention Forum members and volunteers about the complex nature and process of creating a social change. Particularly we often talk about the vital importance [...]
A joint letter to the new Home Secretary – “the system need to change now”
Together with many colleagues working for migration justice, the Detention Forum has sent this joint letter to the new Home Secretary. We urgently need a fair and humane immigration system, and the Home Secretary has a lot of [...]
#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.
One of our wonderful volunteers @CCionnfhaolaidh reflects on her experience of #Unlocked19 and what she has learnt reporting on #Colnbrook and #Harmondsworth. (illustration by: @Carcazan)
https://t.co/AvK1NKadcB
Ordinary people doing an extraordinary job: Read what the @SDVisitors volunteers say about their experience as they witness what’s happening to people locked up in #Dungavel. #Unlocked19
https://t.co/ppArghqaE2
Thank you for sharing your thoughts over what immigration #detention meant to you during #Unlocked19. Here is what the Home Affairs Committee said in its report earlier this year. You can also browse through the gallery on our website.
https://t.co/tsGEJlCdOT
As more #detention centres are closed, visitors’ groups shift their focus to what’s next. Clara Della Croce, from @AsylumWelcome explains to Unlocking Detention what Asylum Welcome did after the closure of #Campsfield centre in Oxfordshire. #Unlocked19
https://t.co/IVb92wBJlv