Public Inquiry Recommendations

1 Accepted in Part

Brook House Inquiry (2023)

Monitor Brook House contract performance robustly

The Home Office must actively and robustly monitor the performance of the Brook House contract, including satisfying itself that any self-reported information is accurate. This may include engagement with monitoring …

- In March 2024, the Home Office stated that it had introduced new contracts requiring internal audit programmes and self-reporting by service providers, with two …

2 Accepted in Part

Brook House Inquiry (2023)

Require IRC contracts to uphold Rule 3 humane detention principles

The Home Office must ensure that each contract for the management of an immigration removal centre must expressly require compliance with the overriding purpose of Rule 3, which is to …

- In March 2024, the Home Office stated that new contracts mandate adherence to Detention Services Orders including the Detention Centre Rules 2001 and that …

3 Accepted in Part

Brook House Inquiry (2023)

Limit cell occupancy to maximum two people

The Home Office must ensure that a maximum of two detained people are accommodated in each cell at Brook House.

- In March 2024, the Home Office stated that all rooms across the removal estate meet standards under Rule 15(1) of the Detention Centre Rules …

4 Accepted in Part

Brook House Inquiry (2023)

Ensure reasonable internet and computer access for detainees

The Home Office and its contractors must ensure reasonable access to computers and the internet. Contractors must comply in full with Detention Services Order 04/2016: Detainee Access to the Internet, …

- In March 2024, the Home Office stated that service contracts mandate adherence to DSO 04/2016 (Detainee Access to the Internet) and that fines are …

5 Accepted in Part

Brook House Inquiry (2023)

Require proper cell sharing risk assessments

The Home Office must ensure that adequate risk assessment for cell sharing is carried out by contractors in relation to every detained person. This must be done at the outset …

- In March 2024, the Home Office stated that cell sharing risk assessments are covered under new contractual arrangements and that a new staffing model …

6 Accepted in Part

Brook House Inquiry (2023)

Review and reduce cell lock-in periods

The Home Office, in consultation with the contractor responsible for operating each immigration removal centre, must review the current lock-in regime and determine whether the period of time during which …

- In March 2024, the Home Office committed to implementing a maximum 9-hour overnight lock-in period, noting this was already being driven forward at Brook …

7 Not Accepted Urgent

Brook House Inquiry (2023)

Introduce 28-day maximum time limit on detention

The government must introduce in legislation a maximum 28-day time limit on any individual's detention within an immigration removal centre.

- In March 2024, the government rejected this recommendation, stating that "a time limit would significantly impair the ability to remove those who have breached …

8 Accepted in Part

Brook House Inquiry (2023)

Mandatory comprehensive Rule 34 and Rule 35 training

The Home Office (in collaboration with NHS England as required) must ensure that comprehensive training on Rule 34 and Rule 35 of the Detention Centre Rules 2001 is rolled out …

- In March 2024, the Home Office committed to reviewing Adults at Risk policy and Detention Centre Rules 34 and 35, and stated that NHS …

9 Under Consideration

Brook House Inquiry (2023)

Ensure effective operation and auditing of all Rule 35 limbs

The Home Office must, across the immigration detention estate, assure itself that all three limbs of Rule 35 of the Detention Centre Rules 2001 (reports by a medical practitioner where: …

- In March 2024, the Home Office stated that a detention gatekeeper system reviews suitability for detention and that a review of the Adults at …

10 Under Consideration

Brook House Inquiry (2023)

Clarify authorisation for Rule 40 and Rule 42 segregation

The Home Office must amend, as a matter of urgency, Detention Services Order 02/2017: Removal from Association (Detention Centre Rule 40) and Temporary Confinement (Detention Centre Rule 42) and, if …

- In March 2024, the Home Office stated that an interim DSO had been published clarifying Rule 40 and Rule 42 authorisation protocols and that …

11 Accepted in Part

Brook House Inquiry (2023)

Review E Wing suitability for vulnerable detainees

The Home Office and the current operator of Brook House must keep under review the appropriateness of the multi-purpose use of E Wing, particularly in relation to its suitability as …

- In March 2024, the Home Office stated that the multi-purpose use of Eden Wing at Brook House was under consideration and that learning would …

12 Accepted in Part

Brook House Inquiry (2023)

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 …

- In March 2024, the Home Office committed to including staff training requirements and compliance auditing as part of the substantive DSO revision on Rule …

13 Accepted in Part

Brook House Inquiry (2023)

Quarterly auditing of Rule 40 and Rule 42 use

The Home Office must regularly (and at least quarterly) audit the use of Rule 40 and Rule 42 across the immigration detention estate, in order to identify trends, any training …

- In March 2024, the Home Office committed to compliance auditing across the detention estate as part of the DSO revision, noting this recommendation was …

14 Accepted

Brook House Inquiry (2023)

Prohibit handcuffing behind back while seated

The Home Office and contractors operating immigration removal centres must ensure that all staff are aware that the technique of handcuffing detained people with their hands behind their back while …

- In March 2024, the Home Office stated that it had communicated to all IRC and contracted service provider staff that handcuffing behind the back …

15 Accepted in Part Urgent

Brook House Inquiry (2023)

New comprehensive use of force detention services order

The Home Office must introduce, as a matter of urgency, a new and comprehensive detention services order to address use of force in immigration removal centres. The detention services order …

- In March 2024, the Home Office stated that a new DSO on use of force was being developed in consultation with experts, alongside an …

16 Accepted in Part Urgent

Brook House Inquiry (2023)

Independent review of use of force on mentally ill detainees

The Home Office must urgently commission an independent review (with the power to make recommendations) of use of force on detained people with mental ill health within immigration removal centres. …

- In March 2024, the Home Office accepted this recommendation in principle, stating it was working with HMPPS, NHS England and DHSC to develop new …

17 Accepted in Part Urgent

Brook House Inquiry (2023)

Mandatory use of force debrief training and multi-level review process

The Home Office must ensure, as a matter of urgency, that training is delivered on how to conduct an effective use of force incident debrief, ensuring that issues of detained …

- In March 2024, the Home Office committed to developing training on effective use of force debriefs and stated that use of force monthly meetings …

18 Accepted in Part Urgent

Brook House Inquiry (2023)

Update DSO on food and fluid refusal management and reporting

The Home Office must, as a matter of urgency, update Detention Services Order 03/2017: Care and Management of Detained Individuals Refusing Food and/or Fluid, to ensure that it deals with: …

- In March 2024, the Home Office stated that an updated DSO on food and fluid refusal had been published, linking food and fluid refusal …

19 Not Accepted

Brook House Inquiry (2023)

Healthcare staff guidance and training on use of force incidents

The Home Office must ensure that guidance is issued to healthcare staff in immigration removal centres clarifying their role in use of force incidents. It must liaise as necessary with …

- In March 2024, the government rejected this recommendation, stating that NHS England commissions healthcare services and that it is their responsibility, alongside the Care …

20 Accepted in Part

Brook House Inquiry (2023)

Update guidance on fit to fly and fit for detention medical assessments

The Home Office must review and update Detention Services Order 01/2016: The Protection, Use and Sharing of Medical Information Relating to People Detained Under Immigration Powers, to ensure that guidance …

- In March 2024, the Home Office accepted this recommendation in principle but stated that fit to fly assessments are a "medico-legal practice" outside the …

21 Accepted in Part

Brook House Inquiry (2023)

Update mental vulnerability and mental capacity DSO guidance

The Home Office must review and update Detention Services Order 04/2020: Mental Vulnerability and Immigration Detention: Non-Clinical Guidance to set out comprehensive guidance for detention and healthcare staff where there …

- In March 2024, the Home Office stated it was scoping requirements with NHS England regarding policy on detained people with mental ill health as …

22 Accepted in Part

Brook House Inquiry (2023)

Update healthcare complaints handling guidance

The Home Office must review and update Detention Services Order 03/2015: Handling of Complaints to ensure that appropriate guidance is given to healthcare providers on the investigation and handling of …

- In March 2024, the Home Office stated that a comprehensive review of complaints processes, including medical complaints, was underway in consultation with residents, IMBs, …

23 Accepted in Part

Brook House Inquiry (2023)

Quarterly assessment of staffing levels against population needs

The Home Office and contractors operating immigration removal centres must ensure that there is ongoing assessment of staffing levels (at least on a quarterly basis), so that the level of …

- In March 2024, the Home Office stated that a new staffing model had been implemented delivering a staffing ratio "nearly double what it was …

24 Accepted in Part

Brook House Inquiry (2023)

Mandatory staff training on mental health and trauma-informed approaches

The Home Office, in conjunction with contractors, must ensure that all relevant immigration removal centre staff receive mandatory introductory and annual training on: mental health; race and diversity; a trauma-informed …

- In March 2024, the Home Office stated that the Initial Training Course for all new contracted service provider staff was undergoing a full review, …

25 Accepted in Part

Brook House Inquiry (2023)

Ensure senior manager presence and accessibility to staff

Contractors operating immigration removal centres must ensure that senior managers are regularly present and visible within the immigration removal centre and are accessible to more junior detention staff.

- In March 2024, the Home Office stated that contractors are required to ensure senior managers are regularly present and visible within IRCs, addressing desensitisation …

26 Accepted in Part

Brook House Inquiry (2023)

Ensure Home Office staff presence and visibility in IRCs

The Home Office must ensure that its staff are regularly present and visible within each immigration removal centre.

- In March 2024, the Home Office stated that Detention Engagement Team expansion was underway with further recruitment to increase Home Office staff presence in …

27 Accepted in Part

Brook House Inquiry (2023)

Action plan to address staff desensitisation and secondary trauma

Contractors operating immigration removal centres must develop and implement an action plan to ensure a safe and healthy staff culture in immigration removal centres. The action plan must address: the …

- In March 2024, the Home Office stated that a code of conduct and mandatory staff engagement strategy had been introduced, and that the ITC …

28 Accepted in Part

Brook House Inquiry (2023)

Address barriers to detainee complaints including fear of repercussions

The Home Office and its contractors operating immigration removal centres must take steps to identify and address the barriers to making complaints that are faced by detained people, including a …

- In March 2024, the Home Office committed to a comprehensive review of complaints processes, including barriers faced by detainees, in consultation with residents, IMBs, …

29 Accepted in Part

Brook House Inquiry (2023)

Improve Professional Standards Unit investigation procedures and training

The Home Office must update Detention Services Order 03/2015: Handling of Complaints to clarify that, in investigations carried out by the Professional Standards Unit into allegations of serious misconduct against …

- In March 2024, the Home Office stated that the PSU had updated its training to reflect Brook House Inquiry findings, including training in interviewing …

30 Not Accepted

Brook House Inquiry (2023)

Enhance Professional Standards Unit independence and seniority

The Home Office must: take steps to enhance the independence of the Professional Standards Unit from the Home Office and the perception of this independence; and increase the seniority of …

- In March 2024, the government rejected this recommendation, stating: "The seniority of the Head of the PSU will not be changed," and expressing confidence …

31 Accepted in Part

Brook House Inquiry (2023)

Update whistleblowing DSO with anonymous reporting mechanisms

The Home Office must update Detention Services Order 03/2020: Whistleblowing – The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 to require contractors that run immigration removal centres to: have a whistleblowing policy …

- In March 2024, the Home Office committed to including whistleblowing process improvements in its comprehensive complaints and DSO review (Government Response to the Brook …

32 Accepted in Part

Brook House Inquiry (2023)

Strengthen Independent Monitoring Board statutory footing and responsiveness

The government must: respond to and publish responses to all concerns raised by any Independent Monitoring Board regarding immigration removal centres; take steps without further delay to amend the Detention …

- In March 2024, the Home Office stated that the Ministry of Justice had committed in the 2021 Prisons Strategy White Paper to pursue legislative …

33 Accepted in Part

Brook House Inquiry (2023)

Improve HMIP and IMB evidence gathering and reporting processes

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 …

- In March 2024, the Home Office stated that it was considering its reliance on external scrutiny organisations, and noted this recommendation was directed primarily …