Inspectors found the Gatwick immigration removal centre reasonably safe, but cut its respect grade after health care deteriorated, toilets and showers fell into an unacceptable state and children arrived wrongly treated as adults.
The Independent Monitoring Boards’ 2025 annual report on immigration detention describes routine use of force and isolation, long stays and failing safeguards, as the number of people detained rose by 11 per cent.
The long-serving monitor takes over after Elisabeth Davies resigned in December 2025, following a revolt by local chairs against a national reform package.
The women's immigration removal centre in County Durham won praise for its culture, health care and activities, but inspectors warned that a shortage of female staff needed urgent attention.
Scotland's only immigration removal centre scored good on three of four tests, but inspectors said women held there faced restrictions that men did not.
Inspectors found calm, well-staffed short-term immigration holding facilities at Larne House, Pennine House in Manchester and Swinderby, but raised concerns about night-time moves, care for vulnerable people and the separation of women.
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.
Inspectors found violence and self-harm had risen substantially at the immigration removal centre near Gatwick, where safety and respect had declined, although activities and Home Office contact with detainees had improved.
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.
Inspectors found more protests and frustration at the Bedfordshire immigration removal centre, with nearly half of men saying they felt unsafe, though relationships and living conditions were mostly good.
