Detention Investigations

Independent investigations into immigration detention and prison conditions. Includes the Shaw Reviews, Verita investigations into Yarl's Wood and Brook House, and PPO special investigations into incidents at detention facilities.

8
Investigations
331
Recommendations
5
Sectors

Key Insights

8 independent investigations across 5 sectors, producing 331 recommendations in total.
7 of 8 investigations have detailed recommendations tracked, averaging 47 per investigation.
3 investigations have a published government response.
Immigration Detention is the most investigated sector, covering 7 of 8 investigations.
Recommendations Tracked
331
88% of investigations have recs extracted
Government Responses
3
38% have a published response
Avg Recs per Investigation
47
Across 7 investigations with recs

By Sector

By Year

Top Organisations

Investigation into the Failing of Medomsley Detention Centre
Prisons
Published Nov 2025 · Medomsley Detention Centre · Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
PPO special investigation into historical physical and sexual abuse at Medomsley Detention Centre between 1961 and 1987, commissioned by Lord Chancellor Alex Chalk in October 2023.
3 recommendations Report PDF
Special Investigation at Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre
Immigration Detention
Published Apr 2024 · Yarl's Wood IRC · Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
PPO special investigation into the disturbance and escapes at Yarl's Wood IRC on 28-29 April 2023. Report shared with the Home Office but not published publicly.
Independent Investigation into Concerns about Brook House Immigration Removal Centre
Immigration Detention
Published Dec 2018 · Brook House IRC · Verita
Independent investigation commissioned by G4S into concerns about the treatment of detainees at Brook House Immigration Removal Centre, conducted by Kate Lampard and Ed Marsden of Verita.
52 recommendations Report PDF
Assessment of government progress in implementing the report on the welfare in detention of vulnerable persons
Immigration Detention
Published Jul 2018 · Stephen Shaw
Follow-up assessment by Stephen Shaw examining government progress against recommendations from his 2016 review of welfare in immigration detention.
44 recommendations Report PDF Gov Response
Review into the Welfare in Detention of Vulnerable Persons
Immigration Detention
Published Jan 2016 · Stephen Shaw
Independent review commissioned by the Home Secretary into the welfare of vulnerable persons in immigration detention, conducted by Stephen Shaw, former Prisons and Probation Ombudsman.
64 recommendations Report PDF Gov Response
Independent Investigation into Concerns about Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre
Immigration Detention
Published Jan 2016 · Yarl's Wood IRC · Verita
Independent investigation commissioned by Serco into concerns about the treatment of detainees at Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre, conducted by Kate Lampard and Ed Marsden of Verita.
35 recommendations Report PDF
Investigation into Allegations of Racism and Mistreatment of Detainees at Oakington Immigration Reception Centre
Immigration Detention
Published Jul 2005 · Oakington IRC · Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
PPO special investigation into allegations of racism and mistreatment of detainees at Oakington Immigration Reception Centre, commissioned after the BBC documentary 'Detention Undercover'.
54 recommendations Report PDF
Investigation into the Disturbance and Fire at Yarl's Wood Removal Centre
Immigration Detention
Published Oct 2004 · Yarl's Wood IRC · Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
PPO special investigation into the disturbance and fire at Yarl's Wood Removal Centre on 14-15 February 2002, approximately three months after the centre opened.
79 recommendations Report PDF Gov Response