Colnbrook IRC

At its last full inspection (February 2025; report published May 2025), inspectors found outcomes for detainees were reasonably good for safety, respect, activities and preparation for removal and release. It held 305 detainees at the time, against an operational capacity of 339. It is run by Mitie Care and Custody.

Read our story Read the inspection report

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

1. May 2025 · Full inspectionSafety: reasonably good · Respect: reasonably good · Activities: reasonably good · Preparation for removal and release: reasonably good Read our story
2. July 2022 · Full inspectionSafety: reasonably good · Respect: reasonably good · Activities: reasonably good · Preparation for removal and release: reasonably good Read our story

News

Colnbrook IRC well led but drugs and vulnerable detainees a concern, inspectors find

Inspectors judged the immigration removal centre near Heathrow reasonably good on all four tests, but found a major drug problem and too many vulnerable people held in detention.

Prison News staff12 May 2025

News

Colnbrook IRC reasonably safe but let down by Home Office, inspectors found in 2022

The inspectorate's report on Colnbrook immigration removal centre, published in July 2022, rated all four tests reasonably good but criticised a poorly functioning Home Office team that left detainees without answers.

Prison News staff1 Jul 2022