Brook House Inquiry

The Brook House Inquiry examined events at Brook House Immigration Removal Centre following undercover filming by BBC Panorama in 2017 which revealed mistreatment of detained people. The inquiry made 33 recommendations addressing oversight, conditions, safeguarding, use of force, healthcare, staffing, and complaints processes.

The government accepted 27 recommendations in principle, accepted one fully, placed two under consideration, and rejected three. The rejected recommendations concerned a 28-day detention time limit, NHS England responsibility for healthcare quality assurance, and changing the seniority of the Professional Standards Unit head.

According to a Written Parliamentary Answer in January 2025, the Home Office reported that 17 recommendations had been 'completed and closed as of October 2024', with a further five 'due for closure by end of January 2025', and 11 'on track for closure by summer 2025'. However, the evidence base for these assertions remains limited in the public domain.

Documented changes include new contractual arrangements for immigration removal centres, establishment of compliance and engagement teams, prohibition of specific restraint techniques, and a new staffing model. An interim Detention Services Order on Rule 40/42 has been published, with substantive revisions underway. The government has committed to legislative reform for Independent Monitoring Boards, though this awaits Parliamentary time.

A High Court ruling in December 2025 found the Home Secretary had failed to comply with Article 3 ECHR systems duty in Rule 35 safeguarding at Brook House between July 2023 and March 2024, noting only 20 Rule 35 reports were filed despite 260 ACDT care plans during this period. This suggests ongoing challenges in implementing safeguarding recommendations.

Many recommendations involve ongoing reviews and policy development work, including comprehensive reviews of complaints processes, Adults at Risk policy, and use of force protocols. While the government has indicated progress through ministerial statements, published evidence of completed implementation remains limited for most recommendations.