Harmondsworth IRC

At its last full inspection (February 2024; report published July 2024), inspectors found outcomes for detainees were poor for safety and respect; not sufficiently good for activities and preparation for removal and release. It held 454 detainees at the time, against an operational capacity of 658. It is run by Mitie Care and Custody. An independent review of progress was published in April 2025.

Read our story Read the inspection report

Healthy prison tests: inspectors grade four areas from 1 (poor) to 4 (good).

1. April 2025 · Independent review of progressFollow-up visit assessing progress against the key concerns from the previous full inspection. Read the report (HM Inspectorate of Prisons, opens external site) ↗
2. July 2024 · Full inspectionSafety: poor · Respect: poor · Activities: not sufficiently good · Preparation for removal and release: not sufficiently good Read our story
3. April 2021 · Scrutiny visitShort scrutiny visit during the Covid-19 pandemic; not graded. Read the report (HM Inspectorate of Prisons, opens external site) ↗

News

Harmondsworth removal centre has worst outcomes inspectors have found at any IRC

Inspectors rated the Heathrow immigration removal centre poor for safety and respect, finding filthy conditions, open drug use and weak care for detainees at risk of suicide.

Prison News staff9 Jul 2024