Annual training on Rule 40 and Rule 42 segregation powers
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.
- DSO 2/2017 version 5.0, published in November 2025, includes training requirements for use of separation procedures and requires compliance auditing across the detention estate (Detention Services Order 02/2017 v5.0, Home Office, November 2025).
- No published audit confirming annual training is being delivered across the estate has been identified to March 2026.
How was this evidence gathered?
Response
Accepted in Part
Response
Accepted in PartThe substantive DSO revision on Rule 40/42 includes examination of staff training requirements and compliance auditing.
Progress Timeline
Angela Eagle, Written PQ 23170 (15 January 2025): 'On track for closure by summer 2025.'
Published Evidence
Published assessments of progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Source type badge indicates whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.
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.
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."