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
A matter of fact?
The Home Office’s presentation of the facts about immigration detention is open to question This blog comes from Detention Forum volunteer Gareth, who tweets at @garethglynn. The image is from @Carcazan. Hot on the heels of the Windrush scandal, [...]
Join the Detention Forum team! Call for social media volunteers
Social media volunteers needed! Deadline 9 April 2019 We are looking for a couple of enthusiastic and curious volunteers who have a deep interest in and commitment to challenging immigration detention and can help us increase our social media presence. This social [...]
Detention Forum statement in response to the Home Affairs Committee report on immigration detention
Today, the Home Affairs Committee has published its long-anticipated report on immigration detention. The Committee strongly rebukes the Home Office for its ‘shockingly cavalier attitude to the deprivation of human liberty and the protection of people’s basic rights’. [...]
Latest detention statistics: Much room for improvement
Last week, the Home Office published its latest immigration statistics. https://twitter.com/SDVisitors/status/1101524017373163521 As Scottish Detainee Visitors point out, there are some reasons for optimism. True to its promise, the Home Office has made significant progress in decreasing the number of [...]
Lord Ramsbotham named as fifth ‘Detention Forum Champion’
Lord Ramsbotham, former HM Chief Inspector of Prisons and a crossbench peer, has been named Detention Forum Champion in recognition of his ongoing work on detention reform. Lord Ramsbotham joins Labour’s Paul Blomfield MP, SNP Stuart McDonald MP, [...]
End indefinite detention for everyone – send your photo message to Sajid Javid and your MPs!
It’s time to take action to end indefinite immigration detention in the UK. And the Immigration Bill that is going through Parliament right now presents an opportunity to secure a 28-day time limit on detention for everyone. Join [...]
#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.
/6 At Colnbrook HMIP found records of adults at risk were not up-to-date. “Some people with serious mental health problems should not have been in detention". And neither detainees nor staff were aware of anti-bullying & violence reduction systems”. https://t.co/0rlZxxh6dM
HO AAR policy: "vulnerable people are detained or their detention continued only when the immigration considerations … outweigh … evidence of vulnerability." At Colnbrook HMIP found poor identification & uncertain care for some of the most vulnerable. https://t.co/0rlZxxh6dM
/4 At Colnbrook, HMIP found that "Rule 35 reports were not always submitted, eg where suicidal intentions were suspected … Some of the most vulnerable detainees were deprived of an important safeguard.” https://t.co/0rlZxxh6dM
3/ HMIP raised concern over Colnbrook's application of Rule 35, which evaluates medically the submissions of detainees who say they have experienced physical and mental torture. It found “Most of those with evidence of … torture had detention maintained.” https://t.co/0rlZxxh6dM