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The AVID Handbook

Are you supporting someone held in immigration detention or want to know more about detention in the UK? Whether you are in detention; a new or an experienced visitor; an organisation working on detention issues; or simply want access to the latest, accurate information in an easily accessible format - then the AVID Handbook for Visitors is for you.

Publications

Guides

In detention

Friend or family member

Visitor

Last updated

8.8.2024

Talk: Solidarity with Sudanese Communities

15th April 2024 marked one year since the outbreak of conflict in Sudan. Waging Peace to discuss the impact on Sudanese communities in the UK and how solidarity groups can respond.

Advocacy

Training

Last updated

12.6.2024

Useful Organisations

Several organisations provide support for people in detention. These include our members, who provide a range of support, and other NGOs.

In detention

In prison

Guides

Last updated

13.6.2024

Immigration Detention in Prison

As well as a large number of detention facilities, the UK also detains people under immigration powers in prisons. Being detained in prison poses unique challenges. We understand that being detained in prison poses unique chalenges and this is a guide to provide people detained in prison with an overview of your rights and where to find further support.

In prison

Guides

Last updated

10.6.2024

Talk: Targeting Albanian Communities for Immigration Detention (part one)

This is part one of a talk on developments which have led to Albanian communities being the most common nationality in detention in 2023. Piro Rexhepi situates the detention of Albanian people in the wider context of international migration policies, albanophobia and racist discourses.

Advocacy

Training

Last updated

3.7.2024

After Brook House Report from JRS

JRS UK’s new report examines parallels between practices and culture revealed by the 2017 Brook House Inquiry and recent and ongoing practices and culture across UK immigration detention centres.

Publications

Policy

Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS)

Last updated

23.9.2024

Useful Reading and Key Publications on Detention

Key publications on Immigration Detention (since 2011)

Publications

Various

Last updated

15.10.2024

Training: Understanding the Nationality and Borders Act for Visitors in Detention

This training session outlines the key provisions of the Nationality and Borders Act 2022 and is designed for visitors without a legal background.

Visitor

Training

Last updated

12.6.2024

Talk: Breaking Down the Walls of Silence

Join AVID and Hyab Yohannes on a quest for answers to urgent questions – how do we bear witness to the unbearable? How can we confront the open wounds left by border violence? And how can we heal and create new ways of being?

Advocacy

Training

Last updated

12.6.2024

Training: Trafficking & the National Referral Mechanism in Detention

Training on trafficking and the National Referral Mechanism (the NRM) in immigration detention. Please be aware that statistics and guidance are change regularly and this training took place before the introduction of the Rwanda Act 2024.

Visitor

Training

Last updated

12.6.2024

Talk: The Forces of Detention

Professor Mary Bosworth discusses with AVID the forces that govern the use of detention in the UK, drawing on 15 years of research with people held under immigration powers and with staff in detention.

Advocacy

Training

Last updated

12.6.2024

Talk: Criminalisation, racialisation and deportation

Luke De Noronha joins AVID to discuss the intersection of borders, criminalisation, and racialisation. Part of the 2022 Communities not Walls series.

Advocacy

Training

Last updated

12.6.2024

Training: Legal advice and representation in immigration detention

Getting essential legal advice and representation is a constant challenge for people in immigration detention, frequently leaving people without access to justice around their detention and their immigration case.

Visitor

Training

Last updated

12.6.2024

Talk: Targeting Albanian communities for Immigration Detention (part two)

This is part two of a talk on the increasing detention of Albanian people. Kristina Millona shares some key changes to 'Country Policy and Information Notes' on Human Trafficking in Albania and further developments which have led to the stigmatisation of Albanian men.

Advocacy

Training

Last updated

12.6.2024

Accessing legal advice in detention

It is very important for people in detention to be able to access legal advice both for your immigration case and to review your ongoing detention and make applications for release. This guide provides information on accessing legal advice in detention.

Guides

In prison

In detention

Last updated

8.8.2024

Scrutiny and Oversight: Detention monitoring

In the UK there are established monitoring bodies to scrutinise immigration detention.

In detention

Guides

Policy

Last updated

23.9.2024

Guidance on setting up a visitor group

If you are looking to set up a visitor group, then you can contact us for advice, guidance and to be part of the AVID network. Alongside access to training and resources, we provide new and existing visitor groups with tailored 1:1 support. To get you started, this guide outlines some key points that you will need to consider if you would like to set up a visitor group.

Guides

Visitor

Last updated

11.5.2024

Immigration Statistics: Year ending March 2021

The Home Office has released its statistics on immigration detention for the year up until March 2021.In the year ending in March 2021, 12,967 people entered detention, down 44% since the previous year (23,101) and 12,840 people left detention, down 46% since the previous year (23,962). At the end of March there were 1033 people in detention, down 44% since 2019 (1,637).These overall numbers mask a few concerning trends in the Government’s use of detention, which has once more been increasing ever since the number of people detained reached its lowest point in a decade in June (when 330 people were held in detention centres and 368 were detained in prisons).

Facts & figures

Policy

Last updated

23.9.2024

Immigration Statistics 2020

The Home Office has released its statistics on immigration detention in the fourth quarter of 2020, giving the figures for the full year. During the year 2020, 14,773 people entered detention, down 40% since 2019 (24,443) and 15,449 people left detention, down 37% since 2019 (24,512). At year end there were 910 people in detention, down 44% since 2019 (1,637).

Facts & figures

Last updated

7.5.2024

Immigration Statistics: Year ending June 2021

The Home Office has released its statistics on immigration detention for the year up until June 2021.In the year ending in June 2021, 17,088 people entered detention, down 11% since the previous year (19,160) and 16,209 people left detention, down 19% since the previous year (20,123). At the end of June there were 1550 people in detention, up 122% compared to June 2020 (698) and up 50% since March 2021 (1033).Following a low point in the number of people entering and leaving detention in mid-2020, these numbers seem to represent a return to 'normal' in the rate of people detained by the Home Office, despite the ongoing pandemic.

Facts & figures

Last updated

7.5.2024

Immigration detention Statistics: Year ending March 2022

This year - up until March 2022 - 25,282 people entered detention, nearly double the number of the previous year ending in March 2021 (13,044). In a similar upward trend, 24,918 people left detention. At the end of March this year, there were 1,440 people held in detention.What the statistics don't show for this period is the fact that the Home Office has been using different Immigration Removal Centres with a lack of accountability and transparency. For example, Yarl’s Wood detention centre was used as RSTHF and later reverted to an IRC for men, with different groups of people detained at the centre, including women and children. It is still not yet clear why these changes were made and it undermines the scrutiny and safeguarding mechanisms to protect the vulnerable people being detained.

Facts & figures

Last updated

7.5.2024

Immigration Detention Statistics June 2022

In the year ending June 2022, 24,004 people entered immigration detention in the UK. At the end of the same period, there were 2,038 people in detention, close to three times more than at the end of June 2020 (698) and 24% more than pre-pandemic levels at the end of December 2019 (1,637).Of the 2,038 people in detention, 544 people were detained in prisons under immigration powers. Nine children were recorded in detention in 2022.

Facts & figures

Last updated

7.5.2024

Healthcare in detention

While in detention, you are entitled to proper medical care which is equivalent to the quality provided in the wider community. This right, crucial for human dignity, is sometimes compromised. This guide is for people in detention to understand and secure their rights. It covers healthcare basics, confidentiality, complaints, and the role of Medical Justice in providing independent medical advice.

Friend or family member

In detention

Guides

Last updated

17.5.2024

Guidance on Visiting for Friends and Family

When someone is detained, it marks the start of an emotional and challenging time. During this time, contact with family and friends, who can provide essential emotional and material support, is hugely important.

In detention

Friend or family member

Guides

Visitor

In prison

Last updated

17.6.2024

Detention facts and figures

AVID produces regular statistical updates on the use of detention in the UK. We have found it very hard to find this information in one place, so we now produce our own briefings based on information from the Home Office official statistics and other sources. We also collate information via Freedom of Information requests on the numbers and locations of those held in prison under immigration acts.

Facts & figures

In prison

Last updated

7.5.2024

Briefings and submissions

We regularly respond to policy consultations and requests for evidence from leading organisations, including government agencies and international human rights bodies. Our submissions are a testament to our expertise and commitment to creating meaningful change. They are informed by the experiences of the people with lived experience of detention and visiting and are grounded in the latest research and best practices.

Publications

Policy

Last updated

23.9.2024

AVID's research reports

Find links to previous research reports from AVID in partnership with other organisations and researchers.

Publications

Policy

Last updated

23.9.2024

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