33 Response Accepted in Part

Improve HMIP and IMB evidence gathering and reporting processes

Recommendation

HM Inspectorate of Prisons and Independent Monitoring Boards working within immigration removal centres must ensure that they have robust processes for: obtaining and reporting on an enhanced range of evidence and intelligence from detained people and those who represent or support them, staff and contractors, including that which is received outside of inspections or visits; and reporting on any concerns about the Home Office and contractors.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
- In March 2024, the Home Office stated that it was considering its reliance on external scrutiny organisations, and noted this recommendation was directed primarily at HMIP and IMBs themselves (Government Response to the Brook House Inquiry, Home Office, March 2024).
- DSO 11/2025 (Use of Force for Adults in Detention), published December 2025, requires monthly oversight committees at all IRCs with IMB representation, providing a structural mechanism for IMB involvement in ongoing monitoring (Detention Services Order 11/2025, Home Office, December 2025).
- No published HMIP inspection of Brook House or estate-wide review of IMB evidence-gathering practices has been identified in publicly available reports to March 2026.
Sources
How was this evidence gathered?
Evidence searched by Claude (Anthropic) on 10 Apr 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
This recommendation applies across many organisations. The evidence above reflects central policy activity; adoption in individual organisations may vary.
Jurisdiction
England
Response
Accepted in Part
Accepted in Part Home Office
19 Mar 2024

The government stated it is considering its reliance on external scrutiny organisations. This recommendation was directed primarily at HMIP and IMBs.

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.'

Source
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.

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
Inquiry Brook House Inquiry
Report The Brook House Inquiry Report 19 Sep 2023
View Source
Responsible Bodies
HM Inspectorate of Prisons Primary
Themes & Tags
DWP policy impact assessment Therapy access barriers Hmip Imb Inspection Reporting Oversight
Recommendation age 2.7 yrs
Last formal update 502 days ago