Find detention centres or visitor groups
HMP Norwich
HM Prison Norwich is a Category B/C prison holding around 750 adult men.
HMIP Inspection Report: HMP Norwich 2023
Detention Action
Detention Action
Detention Action visit and provides casework support to people being detained in Harmondsworth and Colnbrook IRCs, near Heathrow Airport. They also provide support in several prisons where they are able to go in for workshops. These are HMP Pentonville, HMP Bedford, HMP Birmingham, HMP Nottingham, HMP Cardiff, HMP The Mount, HMP Bure, HMP Norwich). They can provide remote support to people held under immigration powers in prisons via their helpline.
In addition to providing essential solidarity support, Detention Action campaign for a just immigration system and run networks for people with lived experience of detention to spearhead change.
Detention Action, PO Box 78310, London, E2 2HA
HMP Norwich
HMP Bure
HMP Bure is a category C prison with operational capacity of 643.
HMPI Inspection Report: HMP Bure 2024 Report
Detention Action
Detention Action
Detention Action visit and provides casework support to people being detained in Harmondsworth and Colnbrook IRCs, near Heathrow Airport. They also provide support in several prisons where they are able to go in for workshops. These are HMP Pentonville, HMP Bedford, HMP Birmingham, HMP Nottingham, HMP Cardiff, HMP The Mount, HMP Bure, HMP Norwich). They can provide remote support to people held under immigration powers in prisons via their helpline.
In addition to providing essential solidarity support, Detention Action campaign for a just immigration system and run networks for people with lived experience of detention to spearhead change.
Detention Action, PO Box 78310, London, E2 2HA
HMP Bure
HMP The Mount
HMP The Mount is a category C adult training and resettlement prison for men holding around 1,000 people.
HMIP Inspection Report: 2023 HMP The Mount
Detention Action
Detention Action
Detention Action visit and provides casework support to people being detained in Harmondsworth and Colnbrook IRCs, near Heathrow Airport. They also provide support in several prisons where they are able to go in for workshops. These are HMP Pentonville, HMP Bedford, HMP Birmingham, HMP Nottingham, HMP Cardiff, HMP The Mount, HMP Bure, HMP Norwich). They can provide remote support to people held under immigration powers in prisons via their helpline.
In addition to providing essential solidarity support, Detention Action campaign for a just immigration system and run networks for people with lived experience of detention to spearhead change.
Detention Action, PO Box 78310, London, E2 2HA
HMP The Mount
HMP Cardiff
HMP Cardiff is a category B&C men's prison with operational capacity of 775.
HMIP Report: 2024 Report
Detention Action
Detention Action
Detention Action visit and provides casework support to people being detained in Harmondsworth and Colnbrook IRCs, near Heathrow Airport. They also provide support in several prisons where they are able to go in for workshops. These are HMP Pentonville, HMP Bedford, HMP Birmingham, HMP Nottingham, HMP Cardiff, HMP The Mount, HMP Bure, HMP Norwich). They can provide remote support to people held under immigration powers in prisons via their helpline.
In addition to providing essential solidarity support, Detention Action campaign for a just immigration system and run networks for people with lived experience of detention to spearhead change.
Detention Action, PO Box 78310, London, E2 2HA
HMP Cardiff
HMP Nottingham
HMP Nottingham is a category B prison with capacity for 1060 men.
HMIP Report: HMP Nottingham 2024 Report
Detention Action
Detention Action
Detention Action visit and provides casework support to people being detained in Harmondsworth and Colnbrook IRCs, near Heathrow Airport. They also provide support in several prisons where they are able to go in for workshops. These are HMP Pentonville, HMP Bedford, HMP Birmingham, HMP Nottingham, HMP Cardiff, HMP The Mount, HMP Bure, HMP Norwich). They can provide remote support to people held under immigration powers in prisons via their helpline.
In addition to providing essential solidarity support, Detention Action campaign for a just immigration system and run networks for people with lived experience of detention to spearhead change.
Detention Action, PO Box 78310, London, E2 2HA
HMP Nottingham
HMP Birmingham
HMP Birmingham is a category B adult reception prison for men serving West Midlands courts with operational capacity of 977.
HMIP Inspection Report: HMP Birmingham 2023 Report.
Detention Action
Detention Action
Detention Action visit and provides casework support to people being detained in Harmondsworth and Colnbrook IRCs, near Heathrow Airport. They also provide support in several prisons where they are able to go in for workshops. These are HMP Pentonville, HMP Bedford, HMP Birmingham, HMP Nottingham, HMP Cardiff, HMP The Mount, HMP Bure, HMP Norwich). They can provide remote support to people held under immigration powers in prisons via their helpline.
In addition to providing essential solidarity support, Detention Action campaign for a just immigration system and run networks for people with lived experience of detention to spearhead change.
Detention Action, PO Box 78310, London, E2 2HA
HMP Birmingham
HMP Bedford
HMP Bedford is a Category B prison with a reception and resettlement function. It has capacity for 400 men.
HMIP Inspection Report: HMP Report 2023.
Detention Action
Detention Action
Detention Action visit and provides casework support to people being detained in Harmondsworth and Colnbrook IRCs, near Heathrow Airport. They also provide support in several prisons where they are able to go in for workshops. These are HMP Pentonville, HMP Bedford, HMP Birmingham, HMP Nottingham, HMP Cardiff, HMP The Mount, HMP Bure, HMP Norwich). They can provide remote support to people held under immigration powers in prisons via their helpline.
In addition to providing essential solidarity support, Detention Action campaign for a just immigration system and run networks for people with lived experience of detention to spearhead change.
Detention Action, PO Box 78310, London, E2 2HA
HMP Bedford
Specific Support
Some of the groups in the AVID network provide support and advice/ casework to people across the detention estate and in prison. They also support people in hotels and quasi-detention facilities such as Napier Barracks. One group, Waging Peace, have been focusing on providing support for Sudanese nationals held in Immigration Detention.
Waging Peace
Waging Peace
Established in 2012, Waging Peace undertake a range of activities in support of its mission to support Sudanese asylum-seekers, refugees, and the wider community to build meaningful lives in the UK. Waging Peace visits and supports Sudanese nationals being held in detention centres and prisons across the UK. Waging Peace is a human rights organisation which campaigns against genocide and human rights violations in Sudan.
Detention Action
Detention Action
Detention Action visit and provides casework support to people being detained in Harmondsworth and Colnbrook IRCs, near Heathrow Airport. They also provide support in several prisons where they are able to go in for workshops. These are HMP Pentonville, HMP Bedford, HMP Birmingham, HMP Nottingham, HMP Cardiff, HMP The Mount, HMP Bure, HMP Norwich). They can provide remote support to people held under immigration powers in prisons via their helpline.
In addition to providing essential solidarity support, Detention Action campaign for a just immigration system and run networks for people with lived experience of detention to spearhead change.
Detention Action, PO Box 78310, London, E2 2HA
Solidarity Detainee Support (SDS)
Solidarity Detainee Support (SDS)
Solidarity Detainee Support (formerly known as the SOAS Detainee Support Group) visit people being held at Harmondsworth and Colnbrook IRCs near Heathrow, London, and Yarl’s Wood IRC in Bedfordshire. They also visit some prisons to provide support for those detained under the Immigration Act of Powers. SDS was founded in 2006 as a society at SOAS, and decided to change its name in 2024 after reflecting on their work and changing membership. Read more about their name change here. You can also find other links and up to date resources from their linktree: https://linktr.ee/sds_noborders_noprisons
(Please contact the group via email before reaching out via this address!)
Jesuit Refugee Service UK (JRS)
Jesuit Refugee Service UK (JRS)
Part of the international Jesuit Refugee Service, JRS UK runs a detention outreach programme to people being detained at Harmondsworth and Colnbrook detention centres, near Heathrow Airport, London. Their casework team and volunteers visit people detained on a weekly basis, on Thursdays, as well as writing letters and providing a range of support to people on release from detention.
The Hurtado Jesuit Centre, 2 Chandler St, London, E1W 2QT
Specific Support
Manston Residential Holding Room (RHR) and Short Term Holding Facility(STHF)
Capacity: 1525 bed spaces allocated between Short-term Holding Facility and Residential Holding Rooms (124 bed spaces)
Detained population: Adult men, Adult women, Accompanied minors, and Families
Custodial setting: Partly STHF(Short-term holding facility) and RHR(Residential Holding Room), managed under The Short Term Holding Facility 2022 rules.
Management: Mitie Care and Custody
Visitors Groups: No access has been provided to create visitor groups at this centre - For more info, please reach out to us
Info last updated: 13/10/2024
- 11th Oct 2024: Home Office invites bids on £521 million immigration services contract at Manston Reception Centre near Ramsgate and Western Jet Foil in Dover
- 11th Sep 2024: The Home Office is seeking the views of local residents and owners of businesses and property on planning proposals to upgrade the infrastructure at the Manston Reception Centre. The feedback process was open from 11/09/2024 until 01/10/2024.
Manston Residential Holding Room (RHR) and Short Term Holding Facility(STHF)
HMP Morton Hall
Location: Swinderby, Lincoln
Operational capacity: 353 (Foreign national only prison - Men)
Physical health provider: Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Mental health provider: Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Escort contractor: GEOAmey
HM Inspectorate of Prisons: Inspections Report 2024
Morton Hall, Eagle Road, Swinderby, Lincoln, LN6 9PT
Midlands Migrant Support - formerly known as Morton Hall Visitors Group (MHVG)
Midlands Migrant Support - formerly known as Morton Hall Visitors Group (MHVG)
Set up in Nottingham in 2011 Midlands Migrant Support provide friendship and practical advice to people detained in Swinderby RSTHF, Lincolnshire and HMP Morton Hall. Their volunteers offer practical information and signposting to a range of specialist services.
HMP Morton Hall
HMP Risley
Manchester Immigration Detainee Support Team (MIDST)
Manchester Immigration Detainee Support Team (MIDST)
MIDST is a volunteer-run group and visits and supports men and women being detained at RSTHF 302, a short-term holding facility at Manchester Airport.
The group also visits and supports men being held post-sentence under immigration control at HMP Risley.
HMP Risley
HMP Lewes
Location: East Sussex
Operational Capacity: 624, men's prison
HMIP Inspection Report: Lewes-IRP-web-2023.pdf (justiceinspectorates.gov.uk)
Lewes Organisation in Support of Refugees & Asylum Seekers (LOSRAS)
Lewes Organisation in Support of Refugees & Asylum Seekers (LOSRAS)
Lewes Prison Visiting Group is part of Lewes Organisation in Support of Refugees & Asylum Seekers (LOSRAS). They are a volunteer-run group and have been visiting people being detained post-sentence under immigration powers at HMP Lewes since 2004. The group also works locally to promote awareness of issues affecting refugees and asylum seekers.
C/o AVID, 115 Mare street, London, E8 4RU
HMP Lewes
HMP Pentonville
HMP Pentonville is a category B reception prison, holding around 1,300 men aged 18 and over. HMP Pentonville is one of seven prisons with a Prison Operational and Removal Teams (PORT) team to assist in managing immigration cases for people held under immigration powers.
HMIP Inspection Report: HMP Pentonville 2022 Report.
Detention Action
Detention Action
Detention Action visit and provides casework support to people being detained in Harmondsworth and Colnbrook IRCs, near Heathrow Airport. They also provide support in several prisons where they are able to go in for workshops. These are HMP Pentonville, HMP Bedford, HMP Birmingham, HMP Nottingham, HMP Cardiff, HMP The Mount, HMP Bure, HMP Norwich). They can provide remote support to people held under immigration powers in prisons via their helpline.
In addition to providing essential solidarity support, Detention Action campaign for a just immigration system and run networks for people with lived experience of detention to spearhead change.
Detention Action, PO Box 78310, London, E2 2HA
HMP Pentonville
HMP Huntercombe
Location: Oxfordshire
Foreign national only prison - Men
HM Inspectorate of Prisons: Inspections Report 2023
Asylum Welcome
Asylum Welcome
Asylum Welcome provide information, advice and support to people in immigration detention, refugees and asylum seekers in Oxford and across Oxfordshire. Their team and volunteers visit and provide practical support to people being held under immigration powers at HMP Huntercombe.
Unit 7, Newtec Place, Magdalen Road, Oxford, OX4 1RE
HMP Huntercombe
Harmondsworth IRC
Location: West Drayton, Middlesex
Capacity: 658 (men only)
Operated by: Mitie
HM Inspectorate of Prisons: Inspection Reports
Address: Colnbrook Bypass, Harmondsworth, West Drayton, UB7 0HB
Detention Action
Detention Action
Detention Action visit and provides casework support to people being detained in Harmondsworth and Colnbrook IRCs, near Heathrow Airport. They also provide support in several prisons where they are able to go in for workshops. These are HMP Pentonville, HMP Bedford, HMP Birmingham, HMP Nottingham, HMP Cardiff, HMP The Mount, HMP Bure, HMP Norwich). They can provide remote support to people held under immigration powers in prisons via their helpline.
In addition to providing essential solidarity support, Detention Action campaign for a just immigration system and run networks for people with lived experience of detention to spearhead change.
Detention Action, PO Box 78310, London, E2 2HA
Jesuit Refugee Service UK (JRS)
Jesuit Refugee Service UK (JRS)
Part of the international Jesuit Refugee Service, JRS UK runs a detention outreach programme to people being detained at Harmondsworth and Colnbrook detention centres, near Heathrow Airport, London. Their casework team and volunteers visit people detained on a weekly basis, on Thursdays, as well as writing letters and providing a range of support to people on release from detention.
The Hurtado Jesuit Centre, 2 Chandler St, London, E1W 2QT
Solidarity Detainee Support (SDS)
Solidarity Detainee Support (SDS)
Solidarity Detainee Support (formerly known as the SOAS Detainee Support Group) visit people being held at Harmondsworth and Colnbrook IRCs near Heathrow, London, and Yarl’s Wood IRC in Bedfordshire. They also visit some prisons to provide support for those detained under the Immigration Act of Powers. SDS was founded in 2006 as a society at SOAS, and decided to change its name in 2024 after reflecting on their work and changing membership. Read more about their name change here. You can also find other links and up to date resources from their linktree: https://linktr.ee/sds_noborders_noprisons
(Please contact the group via email before reaching out via this address!)
Harmondsworth IRC
Yarl's Wood RSTHF
Solidarity Detainee Support (SDS)
Solidarity Detainee Support (SDS)
Solidarity Detainee Support (formerly known as the SOAS Detainee Support Group) visit people being held at Harmondsworth and Colnbrook IRCs near Heathrow, London, and Yarl’s Wood IRC in Bedfordshire. They also visit some prisons to provide support for those detained under the Immigration Act of Powers. SDS was founded in 2006 as a society at SOAS, and decided to change its name in 2024 after reflecting on their work and changing membership. Read more about their name change here. You can also find other links and up to date resources from their linktree: https://linktr.ee/sds_noborders_noprisons
(Please contact the group via email before reaching out via this address!)
Beyond Detention
Beyond Detention
Set up in 2001, Beyond Detention visits and supports people detained at Yarl’s Wood IRC in Bedfordshire and continues to support people on their release with a wide range of activities. They run drop-in sessions on Tuesday afternoons, Wednesday mornings and Thursday mornings. They visit men detained in Yarl's Wood on Tuesdays and Thursdays and visit women on Wednesdays. They also provide ongoing practical support such as clothing, mobile top up and devices.
43 Bromham Road, Bedford, MK40 2AA
Yarl's Wood RSTHF
Yarl's Wood IRC
Location: Clapham, Bedfordshire
Capacity: 410 persons: 314 Male IRC, 58 Female IRC and 38 Male RSTFH/IRC
Operated by: Serco
HM Inspectorate of Prisons: Inspection reports
Centre update:
- Home Office has announced that an additional 58-bed space will be allocated as a standalone unit for women to be held under IRC conditions at Yarl's Wood IRC.
- It also has a separate unit as RSTHF for 38 beds allocated for Men.
Address: Twinwoods Business Park, Thurleigh Road, Clapham, Bedfordshire, MK41 6HL
Beyond Detention
Beyond Detention
Set up in 2001, Beyond Detention visits and supports people detained at Yarl’s Wood IRC in Bedfordshire and continues to support people on their release with a wide range of activities. They run drop-in sessions on Tuesday afternoons, Wednesday mornings and Thursday mornings. They visit men detained in Yarl's Wood on Tuesdays and Thursdays and visit women on Wednesdays. They also provide ongoing practical support such as clothing, mobile top up and devices.
43 Bromham Road, Bedford, MK40 2AA
Solidarity Detainee Support (SDS)
Solidarity Detainee Support (SDS)
Solidarity Detainee Support (formerly known as the SOAS Detainee Support Group) visit people being held at Harmondsworth and Colnbrook IRCs near Heathrow, London, and Yarl’s Wood IRC in Bedfordshire. They also visit some prisons to provide support for those detained under the Immigration Act of Powers. SDS was founded in 2006 as a society at SOAS, and decided to change its name in 2024 after reflecting on their work and changing membership. Read more about their name change here. You can also find other links and up to date resources from their linktree: https://linktr.ee/sds_noborders_noprisons
(Please contact the group via email before reaching out via this address!)
Yarl's Wood IRC
Swinderby RSTHF
Center update
In July 2021, Morton Hall IRC closed and was returned to the Ministry of Justice to re-open as a foreign-national-only prison in mid-2022.
- See our statement on the closure here: http://www.aviddetention.org.uk/news-events/news/morton-hall-detention-centre-close-next-year
Home Office has since then opened a Residential Short Term Holding Facility(RSTHF) on the site of, but entirely separate from, Morton Hall Prison, known as Swinderby RSTHF.
Address: Park Crescent Eagle Road Swinderby Lincoln LN6 9HU
Midlands Migrant Support - formerly known as Morton Hall Visitors Group (MHVG)
Midlands Migrant Support - formerly known as Morton Hall Visitors Group (MHVG)
Set up in Nottingham in 2011 Midlands Migrant Support provide friendship and practical advice to people detained in Swinderby RSTHF, Lincolnshire and HMP Morton Hall. Their volunteers offer practical information and signposting to a range of specialist services.
Swinderby RSTHF
Tinsley House IRC
Location: Gatwick Airport
Capacity: 162 Men and as well as a pre-departure accommodation(PDA) facility for up to two families.
Operated by: G4S
HM Inspectorate of Prisons: Inspection reports
Address: Perimeter Road South, London Gatwick Airport, Gatwick, West Sussex,RH6 0PQ
Gatwick Detainees Welfare Group (GDWG)
Gatwick Detainees Welfare Group (GDWG)
GDWG was set up in 1995 and their staff and volunteer teams visit, provide casework support and advocacy to people detained held at Tinsley House and Brook House IRCs near Gatwick Airport. GDWG give talks in schools in the local area to raise awareness of our work and detention issues. Refugee Tales is an outreach project calling for an end to indefinite detention and who run ‘Walk with Us’ for people who have experienced detention to join walks on release.
The Orchard, 1-2 Gleneagles Court, Brighton Road, Crawley, RH10 6AD
Tinsley House IRC
Manchester RSTHF
Location: Manchester
Capacity: 35 (men and women)
Operated by: Mitie
HM Inspectorate of Prisons: Inspection reports
Manchester Immigration Detainee Support Team (MIDST)
Manchester Immigration Detainee Support Team (MIDST)
MIDST is a volunteer-run group and visits and supports men and women being detained at RSTHF 302, a short-term holding facility at Manchester Airport.
The group also visits and supports men being held post-sentence under immigration control at HMP Risley.
Manchester RSTHF
Larne House RSTHF
Location: Larne, Northern Ireland
Capacity: 19 (men and women)
Operated by: Mitie
HM Inspectorate of Prisons: Inspection reports
Address: 2 Hope Street, Larne, Antrim, Northern Ireland, BT40 1UR Visiting hours 1400 – 2100
Larne House Visitors Group
Larne House Visitors Group
Larne House Visitors Group is a volunteer-run group and started visiting people held at Larne House residential short term holding facility(RSTHF) near Belfast, Northern Ireland, in 2014. Based in Belfast, the group visits people held at the facility on a weekly basis. They also work closely with the Northern Ireland Law Centre to raise awareness locally about issues around detention, migration and asylum.
Larne House RSTHF
Haslar IRC
Location: Gosport, Hampshire
Capacity: 170 (men only)
Operated by: HM Prison Service
HM Inspectorate of Prisons: Inspection Reports
Update:
Important Note(2023): Haslar was closed in 2015 under coalition government plans to reduce immigration detention spaces. The current government has announced plans to reopen this centre with significantly increased bed spaces, up to 600 beds(men only).
A local campaign currently underway to stop these plans to re-open the Haslar IRC, called 'No Detention No Haslar'. This is a grassroots campaign led by local residents with input and support from national organisations to challenge the government policy to expand immigration detention, the arbitrary use of administrative detention and the enormous public expenditure which such an expansion requires.
Read pre release from the group here:
Timeline: According to the Home Office, the estimated re-opening of this centre will be by late 2024, and the plan's first phase is currently underway.
Address: 2 Dolphin Way, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 2AW
Haslar IRC
Brook House IRC
Location: Gatwick Airport, West Sussex
Capacity: 450 (men only)
Operated by: Serco
Escort provider:
- MitieHealth service commissioner and providers: Practice Plus Group
- Learning and skills providers: Serco
HM Inspectorate of Prisons: Inspection reports
Perimeter Road South, London Gatwick Airport, Gatwick, RH6 0PQ
Gatwick Detainees Welfare Group (GDWG)
Gatwick Detainees Welfare Group (GDWG)
GDWG was set up in 1995 and their staff and volunteer teams visit, provide casework support and advocacy to people detained held at Tinsley House and Brook House IRCs near Gatwick Airport. GDWG give talks in schools in the local area to raise awareness of our work and detention issues. Refugee Tales is an outreach project calling for an end to indefinite detention and who run ‘Walk with Us’ for people who have experienced detention to join walks on release.
The Orchard, 1-2 Gleneagles Court, Brighton Road, Crawley, RH10 6AD
Brook House IRC
Dungavel IRC
Location: Strathaven, South Lanarkshire, Scotland
Capacity: 125 (113 men; 12 women)
Operated by: Mitie Care and Custody Ltd (Mitie)
- Escort provider: Mitie Care and Custody
- Health service providers: Med-Co Secure Healthcare Services Ltd
HM Inspectorate of Prisons: Inspection reports
Strathaven, South Lanarkshire, Scotland, ML10 6RF
Scottish Detainee Visitors (SDV)
Scottish Detainee Visitors (SDV)
Set up in 2002, SDV befriend and support people being held at Dungavel IRC near Strathaven, South Lanarkshire. Based in Glasgow, SDV visits people detained on a regular basis and run a drop-in support service at the centre on the first and third Wednesday of every month. They also work with a wider network of organiations in Scotland and the UK supporting asylum seekers, refugees and other migrants to ensure people in detention are treated fairly, and to advocate for change in immigration detention.
Scottish Detainee Visitors, 6th Floor, Portland House, 17 Renfield Street, Glasgow, G2 5AH.
Dungavel IRC
Derwentside IRC
Location: Consett, Durham
Capacity: 84 (women only)
Operated by: Serco
Update on the status:
The Home Office announced that in late September 2023, Derwentside would be re-roled to become an IRC for men. However, as of October 2024, there is no indication of when the change in role will come into effect - it is still currently holding women at this centre.
Derwentside IRC, Corbridge Road, Consett, DH8 6QY
Durham Visitors Group
Durham Visitors Group
Durham Visitors Group was established in 2021 to visit people held Derwentside IRC, the new detention centre for women in County Durham which opened amidst strong resistance. Visitors come from County Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle and beyond, offering emotional and practical support to women held in the centre. Durham Visitors Group is co-ordinated by a group of volunteers and works closely with other groups and organisations in the North East of England.
Derwentside IRC
Colnbrook IRC
Location: West Drayton, Middlesex (near Heathrow Airport)
Capacity: 420 Men
Operated by: Mitie
HM Inspectorate of Prisons: Inspection reports
Address: Colnbrook Bypass, Harmondsworth, West Drayton, Middlesex, UB7 0FX
Detention Action
Detention Action
Detention Action visit and provides casework support to people being detained in Harmondsworth and Colnbrook IRCs, near Heathrow Airport. They also provide support in several prisons where they are able to go in for workshops. These are HMP Pentonville, HMP Bedford, HMP Birmingham, HMP Nottingham, HMP Cardiff, HMP The Mount, HMP Bure, HMP Norwich). They can provide remote support to people held under immigration powers in prisons via their helpline.
In addition to providing essential solidarity support, Detention Action campaign for a just immigration system and run networks for people with lived experience of detention to spearhead change.
Detention Action, PO Box 78310, London, E2 2HA
Jesuit Refugee Service UK (JRS)
Jesuit Refugee Service UK (JRS)
Part of the international Jesuit Refugee Service, JRS UK runs a detention outreach programme to people being detained at Harmondsworth and Colnbrook detention centres, near Heathrow Airport, London. Their casework team and volunteers visit people detained on a weekly basis, on Thursdays, as well as writing letters and providing a range of support to people on release from detention.
The Hurtado Jesuit Centre, 2 Chandler St, London, E1W 2QT
Solidarity Detainee Support (SDS)
Solidarity Detainee Support (SDS)
Solidarity Detainee Support (formerly known as the SOAS Detainee Support Group) visit people being held at Harmondsworth and Colnbrook IRCs near Heathrow, London, and Yarl’s Wood IRC in Bedfordshire. They also visit some prisons to provide support for those detained under the Immigration Act of Powers. SDS was founded in 2006 as a society at SOAS, and decided to change its name in 2024 after reflecting on their work and changing membership. Read more about their name change here. You can also find other links and up to date resources from their linktree: https://linktr.ee/sds_noborders_noprisons
(Please contact the group via email before reaching out via this address!)
Colnbrook IRC
Campsfield IRC
Location: Kidlington, Oxfordshire
Capacity: 276 (men only)
Operated by: MITIE
HM Inspectorate of Prisons: Inspection reports
Update
Important Notes (2023): AVID welcomed the decision by the government to close Campsfield IRC in 2018, and it became the fourth detention centre to close since 2015.
It was announced that on 28th June 2022 - Home Office had started the first stages of the procurement to operate a new IRC on the site of the former Campsfield House with a capacity of up to 400 beds for men.
- See the Home Office's blueprint on the stages of work on the centre.
- Statement from our Member, Asylum Welcome on the plans to reopen the centre.
There was considerable opposition against this plan, and a local MP Layla Moran urged the government to 'ditch the plan'. Oxford West and Abingdon MP Layla Moran secured an adjournment debate in the House of Commons on the reopening of Campsfield to which she is strongly opposed. Speaking after the debate Layla said: “I and my community have already fought hard for Campsfield House to be closed, and we are ready to fight to make sure it stays that way.”
A local campaign group called 'Keep Campsfield Close Coalition' was created to resist the reopening of this centre. Find out about their details here.
Address: Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxon, OX5 1RE