12 Response Accepted in Part AI-assessed

Annual training on Rule 40 and Rule 42 segregation powers

Recommendation

The Home Office and contractors operating immigration removal centres must provide regular training, at least annually, on the operation of Rule 40 and Rule 42 of the Detention Centre Rules 2001, which must include: that Rules 40 and 42 are the only powers under which detained people in immigration removal centres can be removed from association and/or located in temporary confinement; who is permitted to authorise use of those Rules and in what circumstances they may be authorised; that Rules 40 and 42 cannot be used as a punishment or solely for administrative convenience before a planned removal or transfer; and the need to assess any adverse effect that use of Rule 40 or Rule 42 could have on a detained person's physical or mental health, and to consider any steps that could be taken to mitigate those effects. Attendance must be mandatory for all staff working in immigration removal centres and those responsible for managing them. The training must be subject to an assessment.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
The government stated that the substantive Detention Services Order (DSO) revision on Rule 40/42 included an examination of staff training requirements and compliance auditing (Official government response, 19 March 2024). This revision was on track for closure by summer 2025 (Angela Eagle, Written PQ 23170, 15 January 2025). An independent review in August 2025 noted reduced use of force incidents and improved de-escalation practices, suggesting progress in related areas, but did not explicitly confirm the implementation of annual training specifically on Rule 40 and Rule 42 segregation powers (HM Inspectorate of Prisons, August 2025).
How was this assessed?
Assessed by gemini-2.5-flash on 18 Mar 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
External sources searched: www.gov.uk, www.legislation.gov.uk, hansard.parliament.uk
This recommendation requires implementation across many organisations. The assessment reflects central policy response, not adoption in individual organisations.
Jurisdiction
England
Response
Accepted in Part
Accepted in Part Home Office
19 Mar 2024

The substantive DSO revision on Rule 40/42 includes examination of staff training requirements and compliance auditing.

Read Full Response
Progress Timeline
Parliamentary Answer
14 Jan 2025

Angela Eagle, Written PQ 23170 (15 January 2025): 'On track for closure by summer 2025.'

Published Evidence

Published assessments of implementation progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Check the source type badge to see whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.

Good Progress
03 Sep 2025
HM Inspectorate of Prisons Inspection Report

Reduced use of force incidents. Detainees report feeling safer. Good de-escalation practices observed.

View detailed findings

Based on Independent Review of Progress visit in August 2025, following up 13 concerns from August 2024 inspection. Brook House run by Serco held 192 detainees at time of visit.

Report on an independent review of progress at Br… View Source
Insufficient Progress
19 Sep 2024
Brook House Inquiry Chair Other

Inquiry Chair Kate Eves described government response as "inadequate" and called for a "reset" with the new government. Warned abuse "becomes a question of when, not if" it happens again.

View detailed findings

In September 2024, Kate Eves told Channel 4 News she was "disappointed with what I see as an inadequate response by the former government to an important report." She noted the inquiry cost about £20 million over four years. Home Office lawyers had argued her "recommendations are not binding."

Channel 4 News interview, September 2024
Source
Report The Brook House Inquiry Report 19 Sep 2023
Responsible Bodies
Home Office Primary
Recommendation age 2.5 yrs
Last formal update 434 days ago