Detention timescales
Lack of clear and consistent instructions and guidance regarding timescales for detention, impacting risk management.
20 items
1 source
3 inquiries
Source spread
Where this theme appears
Detention timescales has been flagged across 1 independent accountability source:
20 inquiry recs
This theme has been identified in one data source. As more data is added, cross-references may emerge.
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Source-grouped records are useful for tracing where a concern came from. Large sections show the 50 strongest matches for that source; counts still show the full theme total.
Inquiry Recommendations (20)
159 — Reporter to check continued detention
Recommendation: The Reporter on being informed of the execution of a Child Protection Order should check the propriety of the continued detention of a child (18.45) but should also proceed with his statutory functions under Sections 38 and 39 in light …
Unknown
145 — Single overall limit on detention
Recommendation: A single overall time limit on the detention of a child whether under Section 37 or Section 40 or both Sections of the 1968 Act should be introduced (18.25-26).
Unknown
BAHA-35 — Detention Timescales Consistency
Recommendation: Theatre level detention instructions and guidance should be reviewed to ensure that references to timescales for detention are clear and consistent.
Words of: Liam Fox, Secretary of State for Defence, statement to the House of Commons, 8 September 2011 (HC Deb vol 532 col 571), as published by the Ministry of Defence
Gov response: I can inform this House that I am accepting in principle all of his recommendations with one reservation.
Accepted in part
10 — Clarify authorisation for Rule 40 and Rule 42 segregation
Recommendation: 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 necessary, the Detention Services Operating Standards Manual for Immigration Service …
Words of: Home Office, Government response to the public inquiry into Brook House Immigration Removal Centre (CP 1041), March 2024
Gov response: 6.5.1. The Home Office has published an interim DSO to provide staff with further clarity on the use of Rule 40 (removal from association) and Rule 42 (temporary confinement) of the Detention Centre Rules 2001. …
Accepted, fully or in part (not specified)
No update 2+ yrs
25 — Ensure senior manager presence and accessibility to staff
Recommendation: 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.
Words of: Home Office, Government response to the public inquiry into Brook House Immigration Removal Centre (CP 1041), March 2024
Gov response: 6.8.1. The report findings in relation to contracted service provider staff behaviour and culture were shocking and unacceptable. Significant changes have been implemented to better define operational staffing levels, introduce accredited training, a code of …
Accepted, fully or in part (not specified)
24 — Mandatory staff training on mental health and trauma-informed approaches
Recommendation: 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 approach; their own resilience; drug awareness; and the purpose of …
Words of: Home Office, Government response to the public inquiry into Brook House Immigration Removal Centre (CP 1041), March 2024
Gov response: 6.8.2. The ITC for all new contracted service provider staff in IRCs is undergoing a full review to ensure understanding of fundamental subjects including AaR, mental health awareness, racial awareness and safeguarding children. There will …
Accepted, fully or in part (not specified)
23 — Quarterly assessment of staffing levels against population needs
Recommendation: 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 staff present within each centre is appropriate for the size …
Words of: Home Office, Government response to the public inquiry into Brook House Immigration Removal Centre (CP 1041), March 2024
Gov response: 6.8.4. Contract requirements across IRC contracted service providers are being reviewed to provide a policy on safe staffing levels and appropriate mitigations where staff capacity is temporarily an issue.
Accepted, fully or in part (not specified)
22 — Update healthcare complaints handling guidance
Recommendation: 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 complaints specific to the provision of healthcare in an immigration …
Words of: Home Office, Government response to the public inquiry into Brook House Immigration Removal Centre (CP 1041), March 2024
Gov response: 6.9.1. A comprehensive review into complaints, including medical complaints, and whistle blowing processes is being undertaken. This has involved a review of the existing DSOs and improving the visibility of communications about and accessibility to …
Accepted, fully or in part (not specified)
21 — Update mental vulnerability and mental capacity DSO guidance
Recommendation: 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 are concerns that a detained person is suffering mental ill …
Words of: Home Office, Government response to the public inquiry into Brook House Immigration Removal Centre (CP 1041), March 2024
Gov response: 6.7.3. The Home Office and DHSC are considering the policy around detained people with mental ill health as part of a wider piece of work around vulnerable adults and, along with NHS England, are scoping …
Accepted, fully or in part (not specified)
No update 2+ yrs
20 — Update guidance on fit to fly and fit for detention medical assessments
Recommendation: 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 given to GPs working in the immigration detention estate in …
Words of: Home Office, Government response to the public inquiry into Brook House Immigration Removal Centre (CP 1041), March 2024
Gov response: 6.7.2. Within IRCs, NHS England are responsible for commissioning a healthcare service consummate to that which is available within the community. Although fit to fly letters are a medico legal practice – and outside of …
Accepted, fully or in part (not specified)
No update 2+ yrs
19 — Healthcare staff guidance and training on use of force incidents
Recommendation: 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 NHS England and any relevant medical regulators. The Home Office …
Words of: Dame Angela Eagle, Minister of State, Home Office, written answer to Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP, House of Commons, 15 January 2025 (UIN 23170)
Gov response: Following full consideration three recommendations (recommendations 7, 19 and 30) have been rejected.
Not accepted
18 — Update DSO on food and fluid refusal management and reporting
Recommendation: 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: food and fluid refusal being clearly and directly linked to …
Words of: Home Office, Government response to the public inquiry into Brook House Immigration Removal Centre (CP 1041), March 2024
Gov response: 6.7.1. An update to the DSO in relation to refusing food and fluid has been published. It covers the requirement to link food and fluid refusal with consideration of the Rule 35 process and whether …
Accepted, fully or in part (not specified)
17 — Mandatory use of force debrief training and multi-level review process
Recommendation: 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 person and staff welfare, as well as training needs, are …
Words of: Home Office, Government response to the public inquiry into Brook House Immigration Removal Centre (CP 1041), March 2024
Gov response: 6.6.3. The Home Office has been working closely with HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to ensure expert input into consideration of these recommendations. …
Accepted, fully or in part (not specified)
No update 2+ yrs
16 — Independent review of use of force on mentally ill detainees
Recommendation: 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. The review must consider: how, when and whether to use …
Words of: Home Office, Government response to the public inquiry into Brook House Immigration Removal Centre (CP 1041), March 2024
Gov response: 6.6.3. The Home Office has been working closely with HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to ensure expert input into consideration of these recommendations. …
Accepted, fully or in part (not specified)
No update 2+ yrs
15 — New comprehensive use of force detention services order
Recommendation: 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 must include the following issues: the permissible justifications for the …
Words of: Home Office, Government response to the public inquiry into Brook House Immigration Removal Centre (CP 1041), March 2024
Gov response: 6.6.3. The Home Office has been working closely with HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to ensure expert input into consideration of these recommendations. …
Accepted, fully or in part (not specified)
No update 2+ yrs
14 — Prohibit handcuffing behind back while seated
Recommendation: 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 seated is not permitted, given its association with positional asphyxia.
Words of: Home Office, Government response to the public inquiry into Brook House Immigration Removal Centre (CP 1041), March 2024
Gov response: 6.6.3. The Home Office has been working closely with HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to ensure expert input into consideration of these recommendations. …
Accepted, fully or in part (not specified)
13 — Quarterly auditing of Rule 40 and Rule 42 use
Recommendation: 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 needs and required improvements. In addition, HM Inspectorate of Prisons …
Words of: Home Office, Government response to the public inquiry into Brook House Immigration Removal Centre (CP 1041), March 2024
Gov response: 6.5.1. The Home Office has published an interim DSO to provide staff with further clarity on the use of Rule 40 (removal from association) and Rule 42 (temporary confinement) of the Detention Centre Rules 2001. …
Accepted, fully or in part (not specified)
No update 2+ yrs
12 — 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 …
Words of: Home Office, Government response to the public inquiry into Brook House Immigration Removal Centre (CP 1041), March 2024
Gov response: 6.5.1. The Home Office has published an interim DSO to provide staff with further clarity on the use of Rule 40 (removal from association) and Rule 42 (temporary confinement) of the Detention Centre Rules 2001. …
Accepted, fully or in part (not specified)
No update 2+ yrs
11 — Review E Wing suitability for vulnerable detainees
Recommendation: 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 a location to detain vulnerable people.
Words of: Home Office, Government response to the public inquiry into Brook House Immigration Removal Centre (CP 1041), March 2024
Gov response: 6.5.2. The multi-purpose use of Eden Wing at Brook House, and any potential risks associated with co-location of vulnerable individuals with those who may have been removed from association, is under consideration. Any learning will …
Accepted, fully or in part (not specified)
No update 2+ yrs
9 — Ensure effective operation and auditing of all Rule 35 limbs
Recommendation: 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: (i) it is likely that a detained person's health would …
Words of: Home Office, Government response to the public inquiry into Brook House Immigration Removal Centre (CP 1041), March 2024
Gov response: 6.4.1. There are a number of safeguards underpinning detention decisions which are highlighted in this response. In June 2016 the Home Office introduced the detention gatekeeper who review the suitability of individuals for detention, with …
Accepted, fully or in part (not specified)
No update 2+ yrs