News from GDWG
IMB Report calls for detention time limit and shows deterioration in safety in Gatwick IRCs.
The Annual Report of the Independent Monitoring Board at Gatwick Immigration Removal Centre for reporting year 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023 was released today and gives a shocking picture of 'increasingly febrile' centres where safety has deteriorated and violence has increased. The IMB describes people in detention 'struggling to understand their rights and how they can exercise them in the centres' and a 'lack of meaningful access to legal advice' for detained people. The IMB details 10% to 30% of detained people being detained for 10 weeks or more and one man detained for 436 days. The IMB writes that 'detention without a time limit is unfair and inhumane.'
The Report is published nearly a year after the publication of the 33 recommendations of the Brook House Public inquiry and notes many of the same failings laid bare in the Inquiry and mirrors many of its recommendations. It affirms what GDWG visitors and staff have encountered every day in the immigration removal centres, the situation described to us by detained people and the situation our Director, Anna Pincus, described to the Home Affairs Select Committee in May this year.
The IMB describes failings of healthcare in detention, the inadequacy of interpreter services, inadequate mental health support, an unfair complaints process, humiliating use of handcuffs to take detained people to hospital, vulnerable people being detained without sufficient analysis of their needs, increased lock-in times being detrimental to detained people, staff being aggressive and intimidating and despair over a lack of pathways to release.
The IMB calls for a time limit, the Public Inquiry into Brook House called for a time limit, and at GDWG we call for a time limit for immigration detention. It is time to reverse the deterioration in safety in our immigration removal centres and to introduce a time limit so that we are never again reading a report describing the harm of detention for all and an individual experiencing 436 days in immigration detention and the profound waste of life that represents.
Annual Report of the Independent Monitoring Board at Gatwick Immigration Removal Centre
The Walker’s Tale
A Refugee Tales film made by Ridy Wasolua and Ricardo Vilela
GDWG has launched a Manifesto for the General Election 2024.
Read our calls for change including that the recommendations of the Brook House Public Inquiry are adopted in full, good quality interpreter services upon request for people in detention, a 28 day time-limit for immigration detention, the right to work for people who have sought asylum for over 6 months, and a compassionate environment for all.
We ask our supporters to share the Manifesto with prospective candidates in your constituency. A sample letter is HERE. You can find your prospective candidates at this website: https://whocanivotefor.co.uk/
As well as raising the issues by letter or email, please consider:
· contacting local media: writing to local newspapers or local news websites, or taking part in radio phone-ins;
· raising the issues with canvassers and party activists seeking your support;
· raising the issues with candidates in person whilst they are out campaigning;
· raising the issues at events, hustings or discussion meetings with several candidates taking part;
· raising the issues with any politicians campaigning in your area.
Thank you for taking the opportunity of the General Election to be part of our call for change as we work for the better imagined.
Spring Newsletter
In our Spring Newsletter you will read about our hopes for our new research into use of interpreters, our hopes for our new EDI working group, you will meet our new Chair of Trustees and staff who are leading Refugee Tales and our post-detention work. You'll find joyful memories from time spent as guests of the Landmark Trust and as nominees at the Sheila McKechnie awards. Read about how it is to start out as a new visitor and find out what 30 Windows mean to us! We hope there is much to inspire you in this newsletter reflecting on our work in our thirtieth birthday year.
Home Affairs Select Committee
The Director of GDWG, Anna Pincus, contributed to a fact-finding session of the Home Affairs Select Committee in Westminster on 1 May alongside Kate Eves, former Chair of the Brook House Public Inquiry. Kate Eves was clear about the shortcomings of the Government response to the Inquiry Report and Anna described how detention is currently experienced as seen in the day to day work of the charity: 'For people on the ground, there is no discernible change. In fact, there are elements that have actually worsened in the way people are experiencing detention at present.' Anna described increased lock-in times, inadequate use of interpreters, failings of healthcare and implications for the government's planned increase in use of detention at a time when the Inquiry has already proven that safeguards are failing in their implementation. Anna was clear on the harm created by indefinite detention and highlighted alternative to detention pilot programmes. The Chair of the Committee, Dame Diana Johnson MP, thanked Anna and colleagues at GDWG for all the work they do. GDWG welcomes the interest and scrutiny of the Committee re lack of progress against the Inquiry recommendations.
To watch the full session, here is the link:
Annual Review 2023
Our Annual Review for 2023 'Building Community' is out. Our Director writes: 'As we enter our 30th birthday year, our charity reaches beyond the locality of the detention centres where our volunteers visit, and yet visits and the people we visit remain at the heart of everything we do.' In her first year as Chair of GDWG, Laura Moffatt pays tribute to volunteer visitors: 'I am determined to continue to be a volunteer visitor to constantly remind myself why this charity exists.'
In 2023 we welcomed the findings of the Brook House Public Inquiry with the GDWG Self-Advocacy Group central in our public responses and our Walking Inquiry multi-media exhibition took our call for change around the UK. The year in numbers conveys increasing need: we helped 2,306 people in detention, we gave out 2,661 mobile top-ups, provided 1,091 packs of clothes and carried out casework for 902 detained people. Thanks to our inspiring community for an intense year of dedicated work.
Strategic Plan
We are delighted to share our 5-Year Strategic Plan with you. Thanks to all the experts by experience, the staff team, volunteers and trustees who came together throughout 2023 in focus groups, meetings and walking conversations about where we are, where we wish to be and how we get there. Our Strategic Plan has four pillars: inspiration, strength, sustainability and equity. We look forward to taking next steps with you. Thank you for your support and thank you Tim Peters Design for working on the presentation of the Plan with us.
Winter Newsletter
It is with great pleasure that we share the GDWG and Refugee Tales Winter Newsletter with you.
In the newsletter you will read about GDWG drop-in sessions in the Centres and news of the Brook House Public Inquiry Report. You'll find book reviews and stories of the ways we come together through exhibitions, meetings, walking, training, planning, visits to detention and the detention centre visits room and even, in this edition, through boxing!
On a detention death
It was with great sadness that we heard the news at the weekend of the death of a man in hospital who had been detained at Brook House. This is a deeply distressing time for people in Brook House and our thoughts are with all those who knew him and cared about him. We also think of all the people he would have known in the future. We think of the finality of this news and of the waste of his life.
We had no contact with the man who has died so we do not know his story. We wish we had known him. We are aware that for our community, receiving news of this kind can invoke personal losses and remind of visits made to desperate people in detention that are hard to bear in the remembering. We shall do all we can to offer support. For GDWG visitors, making a visit may feel an inadequate response when set against the enormity of detention distress. We wish our visitors to please know that visits are an expression of empathy that makes a tremendous difference through quiet work, patient conversations and in cherishing community. For our community of formerly detained people and those currently in Brook House, we are here for you. Thank you to everyone at GDWG for your ongoing support to detained people over the coming days and weeks.
The Home Office has announced an inquiry into the circumstances of his death. We do not know the detail of this, but we shall use our unique position to do everything we can to work for measures to be taken for this never to happen again.
Whilst we await the findings of the report into the tragic death, there are hundreds of people incarcerated in Brook House. I encourage you to write to your MP and ask them to meet with us to discuss the report of the Public Inquiry.
In remembrance.
And in solidarity.
Briefing Paper: experiences of women in immigration detention
GDWG was delighted to be one of the partner organisations alongside Justice First and Samphire working with Dr Lucy Williams on a Briefing Paper focusing on the experience of women in immigration detention and created by women who are experts by experience or who work to support women who have been detained. The Paper, funded by the University of Kent, provides insight into women's experience of immigration detention and is intended to be a tool to support all those working to end detention. Our thanks to Dr Lucy Williams for this important work.
Annual Review 2022
Our Annual Review for 2022 celebrates the achievements of GDWG with 1,171 people supported during and after detention, 93% more people receiving phone cards than in the previous year, 131% more people receiving second-hand clothing packs, and the school talks programme reaching over 1,000 students.
Marie Dewson, Chair of Trustees for six years, writes her final report as she stands down from the Board, describing her work with GDWG as a 'privilege,' commending the 'professionalism and empathy' of the staff team and the 'wonderful support' of trustees while she has been in the role.
The Review 'Speaking Out' has a focus on the work of the GDWG self-advocacy group who launched the Walking Inquiry Report in Parliament in October 2022. Director, Anna Pincus, writes: 'We gain our greatest strength when experts by experience lead our call for change. Our thanks to them for tremendous courage and leadership.'
Read the 2022 Annual Review here.
Press Release – Brook House Public Inquiry Report
Commenting on the publication today of the Brook House Public Inquiry report, Gatwick Detainees Welfare Group (GDWG) Director, Anna Pincus, said:
PRESS RELEASE – 19th September 2023
Brook House Public Inquiry Report
Commenting on the publication today of the Brook House Public Inquiry report, Gatwick Detainees Welfare Group (GDWG) Director, Anna Pincus, said:
“Today marks an important moment. This is the first Public Inquiry to examine immigration detention in the UK. GDWG has been a Core Participant and thanks the Deighton Pierce Glynn team for representing the charity and to all the witnesses who are experts by experience whose courage in giving evidence has been outstanding. For over 25 years, GDWG volunteer visitors have supported people in detention and witnessed their suffering. The report highlights that a culture of change must prevail and that in view of the impact of the indefinite nature of detention, ‘those detained at IRCs, including Brook House, should only be kept there for a maximum of 28 days.’[1]”
GDWG has emphasised the human costs of indefinite detention for many years and welcomes the Public Inquiry Report finding that ‘it was clear from the evidence of detained people, those who worked at Brook House, NGOs, and inspection and monitoring bodies that indefinite detention caused uncertainty, frustration and anxiety for detained people, with a negative impact on their health and wellbeing’[2] and ‘contributed to conditions where mistreatment could occur more easily.’[3] The Inquiry could not have made the case for an end to indefinite detention more strongly.
The Inquiry Report describes the prisonisation of detention, an ‘us and them’ toxic culture among staff with a lack of understanding of the power dynamic, a culture of impunity, inappropriate use of force on vulnerable detained people, attitudes of racism and toxic bravado and use of violence and violent language. In relation to safeguarding the report describes ‘a wholesale breakdown in the system of safeguards designed to protect vulnerable detained people.’[4] The catalogue of failings makes it imperative that the government does not persist with a planned increased use of detention following the Illegal Migration Act.
The Report states that the Home Office and G4S appeared reluctant to allow GDWG input and that this ‘would have benefited detained people and also those managing Brook House’.[5] Anna Pincus responded “The importance of the role of visitor groups around the UK cannot be underestimated. In the midst of the toxic culture described in the Report, GDWG visitors maintained an essential humanity, a humanity that was met with the threat of restricted access.
Today visitor groups across the detention estate are as necessary as ever. Whilst Inquiry recommendations provide hope for the future, there are thousands of people being caused harm in detention today. The Inquiry report says that there is still a long way to go[6] and that ‘insufficient progress has been made to address culture within Brook House’[7] identifying ‘a comprehensive range of failings by the Home Office’.[8] The government must commit to implementing the recommendations from the Brook House Inquiry. We await details of the steps that will be taken in response to each of the important recommendations. Abuses must end and must end now.”
GDWG Trustee Pious Keku, who is an expert by experience having been formerly detained at Brook House and other centres, said:
“Immigration detention feels like being in prison. The system makes you feel less than human. I know from direct experience how damaging it is to be held indefinitely. For many, the harm, the nightmares last long after release. When people come to the UK, they should be treated with dignity and respect, and their human rights upheld. We hope the Brook House Public Inquiry Report will mark a turning point in how people are treated in detention and in recognising the need for fundamental change.”
Notes to editors:
1. The Gatwick Detainees Welfare Group (GDWG) is a charity that supports people during and after detention at Brook House and Tinsley House, at Gatwick Airport. GDWG works to improve welfare and well-being of people in detention by offering friendship and support, and advocating for fair treatment. We continue to offer support after release.
2. GDWG has been working for over 25 years and has helped over 20,000 people during this time.
3. GDWG was a Core Participant in the Brook House Public Inquiry.
4. GDWG Director Anna Pincus and GDWG Visitor Jamie MacPherson gave evidence to the Public Inquiry. GDWG also submitted written evidence to the Inquiry.
5. GDWG supports a number of individuals who gave evidence to the Public Inquiry about their experiences of detention at Brook House.
For further information or to request an interview, please contact:
Anna Pincus – Director, GDWG – 07804903157
Laura Moffatt – Vice-Chair of Trustees, GDWG – 07974318137
Marie Dewson – Chair of Trustees, GDWG – 07801950306
[1] The Brook House Inquiry Report, Kate Eves, Chair of the Brook House Inquiry, September 2023, Volume 2, p.69, para 62
[2] Vol 2, p.64, para 55
[3] Vol 2, p.67, para 59
[4] Vol 2, p.86, para 41
[5] Vol 1, p.63, para 40
[6] Vol 2, p.261, para 119
[7] Vol 2, p.257, para 114
[8] Vol 2, p.4, para 4.
GDWG Summer Newsletter
At a time when the Illegal Migration Act hangs over us all with its statement of intent to increase detention and thereby increase separation and isolation, we share our Summer Newsletter with you which celebrates many connections.
At a time when the Illegal Migration Act hangs over us all with its statement of intent to increase detention and thereby increase separation and isolation, we share our Summer Newsletter with you which celebrates many connections. Read more...
GDWG Statement on the passing of the ‘Illegal Migration Bill’
If you are a child migrant arriving in the UK in the months ahead, if you are a victim of modern slavery or someone who has been trafficked to the UK and you reach our shores, your future in the UK will be bleak whatever your reason for seeking safety. There will be no access to asylum as we have known it.
If you are a child migrant arriving in the UK in the months ahead, if you are a victim of modern slavery or someone who has been trafficked to the UK and you reach our shores, your future in the UK will be bleak whatever your reason for seeking safety. There will be no access to asylum as we have known it.
The Illegal Migration Bill passed the Commons and Lords yesterday and will become an Act of Parliament on Thursday. It represents a violation of the UK’s obligations under human rights and refugee law and will create a permanent asylum backlog and acute suffering for many people that will be framed by limbo years of destitution.
A future without detention is more out of reach today. Our volunteer visiting will be more needed, and our work together is going to be harder. Walking is more necessary. International solidarity is crucial.
It is going to be essential for all people of conscience including writers, artists, faith leaders, philosophers, and every person who recognises the terrible cruelty to work together in every way they can to build community responses that defy ice-hearted denials of human response to need. This is the lowest point. If the UK does not step back from this tragic choice, others will follow.
Let this be a moment where we look at what has been done this week in our name, what it says about us all and draw collective breath and strength to take us away from the brink in our individual and collective responses. We shall keep listening, visiting, supporting, caring, walking, sharing, calling for change. Thank you for your support in the months to come.
We need Advocacy & Support Volunteers
Our Advocacy and Support volunteers provide vital support to detained people, assisting with new enquiries from people in Brook House and Tinsley House and helping with non-legal casework support.
We are looking for new Advocacy and Support Volunteers to work with our detention casework team.
Our Advocacy and Support volunteers provide vital support to detained people, assisting with new enquiries from people in Brook House and Tinsley House and helping with non-legal casework support.
We ask our volunteers to commit to working with us one day a week for one year.
Typical day to day responsibilities of an Advocacy and Support Volunteers are:
Responding to messages and answering faxes and telephone calls from people in detention
Providing telephone support and ongoing emotional support
Responding to initial needs and prioritising urgent cases
Explaining the role of GDWG to new detainees who contact us and gaining their trust
Liaising with solicitors and other professionals – such as doctors and social workers
Assisting detainees to make complaints about mistreatment
Updating the database with relevant information
Assisting staff in running drop-ins and with follow-up
Please get in touch with karris@gdwg.org.uk if you are interested in applying for this role.
Spring Newsletter 2023
Read in this newsletter how our community walks a path of welcome. We pay our respects following the death of a much-valued friend and volunteer, Jim Howley. Our Spring newsletter contains news of walks in solidarity in the UK and overseas, how we have connected with...
Our Spring newsletter contains news of walks in solidarity in the UK and overseas, how we have connected with other visitor groups around the country, news of training, about our work in local schools and colleges, and how a psychotherapist supports our work. We hope you will enjoy reading reviews of a book, a local musical event and the Refugee Tales launch, and seeing artwork by Ridy who is known to you through his film-making for the Walking Inquiry. The newsletter is written in the shadow of the Illegal Migration Bill, but, in community, our sense of hope is undimmed. Read…
GDWG statement on death at Colnbrook IRC
We respond to the news of a tragic death in Colnbrook IRC this week with our sincere condolences to the family of the person who died and everyone who knew them.
We respond to the news of a tragic death in Colnbrook IRC this week with our sincere condolences to the family of the person who died and everyone who knew them.
When we know the identity of the person who died we shall remember their name.
During the recent Public Inquiry into the mistreatment of individuals who were detained at Brook House Immigration Removal Centre in 2017, the harms experienced by detained people were laid bare. These harms continue today. Public Inquiry witnesses described a lack of safeguarding processes. Any death in detention raises questions about the applications of safeguards such as the use of Rule 35 reporting.
Every day the human cost of detention is witnessed by our GDWG volunteers who support people overwhelmed by feelings of helplessness. We call for an end to detention and the harms inherent in holding people indefinitely that destroy people’s agency and hope.
GDWG Director, Anna Pincus, said: ‘our visitors, staff, trustees and community are united in sadness at the loss of life in Colnbrook and for anyone in detention hearing the news, please reach out to the visitor groups in your area for support. You are not alone.’
Our response to the ‘Illegal Migration Bill’
We know our Visitors’ response to the ‘Illegal Migration Bill’ is to keep visiting, our Refugee Tales community will keep sharing the tales of people behind the headlines and our frontline team will always
We know our Visitors’ response to the ‘Illegal Migration Bill’ is to keep visiting, our Refugee Tales community will keep sharing the tales of people behind the headlines and our frontline team will always respond to the people they support seeing each person as an individual and giving a person-centred response accordingly. In the face of a Bill that embeds dehumanisation into law, we shall resist dehumanisation in all the ways open to us and at every turn.
You’ll have read that the Bill refuses people access to the asylum system and places a duty on the Secretary of State to remove people. People will be treated according to the way they travel to the UK and not according to their history and need for safety. The UNHCR have said the plan would breach the Refugee Convention and the Home Secretary starts the Bill with a statement that they are unable to say that provisions are compatible with the rights in the ECHR. The UK could be proved to be in breach of its international obligations under the European Convention of Human Rights. A number of provisions in the Bill have retrospective effect and retrospective law-making undermines the rule of law.
The Bill will be challenged, it is unworkable, and when we contemplate the reality of the policies, it is certain that they would lead to people suffering the pain of lives held in limbo and people locked up without a fair hearing of their claim for asylum. And even if the Bill is unworkable, we understand that the moment the policy intention was uttered, our lives were ALL damaged by the separating out of the rights of one group of people and dismantling of principles of human rights.
There are no safe routes for the people who come to the UK in small boats so the ‘Illegal Migration Bill’ will not end dangerous crossings. It will, however, fuel hostility to asylum seekers. This is something we must counter. We know you will be writing to your MPs. Tell them that instead of this cruel Bill, the government should create a system that prioritises safe routes to get here, efficient asylum processing and a UK strategy of welcome at local and national level. Do consider writing to your local councillors asking them to pass a motion condemning the Bill. We acknowledge that saying ‘put on your walking boots’ can feel a tiny response, but we encourage our community – all of you – to find ways to personally demonstrate how you see the world differently and walk a path of welcome and respect and we are stronger together.
Statement from Anna Pincus, Director of GDWG.