Too many violent incidents occur at Brook House immigration removal centre near Gatwick. Instances of self-harm rose from 128 in 2023 to 171 in 2024. A 2017 public inquiry found detainees subjected to unnecessary pain and humiliation, including dangerous restraint techniques and forcible movement while naked. Two detainees died after detention, in November 2023 and October 2024. Mental health safeguards remain insufficient and some detainees are held for excessive periods. Staff numbers and capability have improved and certain safeguards have been strengthened, but support for the most vulnerable detainees remains limited.
Too many violent incidents happen at an immigration removal centre, a report has found. But the HM Inspectorate of Prisons added that "commendable progress" had been made on several issues at Brook House, near Gatwick Airport. It comes after a BBC investigation found self-harm, cases of violence and use of restraint rose at the West Sussex site last year. The Home Office said it continued to take all action necessary to improve conditions and safeguards at immigration detention facilities.
Instances of self-harm at Brook House rose from 128 in 2023 to 171 in 2024, according to figures obtained by BBC South East. A public inquiry was triggered by a BBC Panorama investigation into the centre in 2017 and found detainees had been subjected to unnecessary pain and humiliation, including dangerous restraint techniques and being forcibly moved while they were naked.
A man died in hospital after being detained at the centre in October 2024, while another detainee was discovered dead at the facility in November 2023. Serco, which runs the site for the Home Office, called Brook House a "safe place to work and live". "We have a great team who carry out a challenging role with professionalism and who have good relations with the residents at the centre," it said.
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