| Events |
Read more about upcoming events on the
Events page.
Demonstration at Harmondsworth and Colnbrook
2006-04-08 -
London
Scotland International Day of Action
2006-04-08 -
Glasgow
Communications House Demonstration
2006-04-10 -
London
Demonstration and March in Manchester
2006-04-15 -
Manchester
Demonstration at Campsfield House
2006-04-29 -
Oxford
Convergence on Villawood Detention Centre
2006-04-14 -
Australia
Solidarity Vigil at Perth Detention Centre
2006-04-?? -
Australia
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Voices from detention
A collection of testimonies from UK immigration detainees in their own words.
This is a collection of accounts by detainees in Tinsley House, Campsfield House, Rochester (HMP), Liverpool (HMP), Belmarsh (HMP), Lindholme, Harmondsworth, Yarlswood, Dungavel, Dover and Haslar. These are people for whom the unthinkable has happened. They have been imprisoned in the UK without charge, without conviction, without time limit. They have been imprisoned by the UK government, which boasts its democratic institutions.
If you are able to add another voice to these accounts, email lizperetz@aol.com. The collection will continue to grow on this website and to be printed regularly in hard copy until the voices can no longer be ignored and the practice of detention is ended.
Introduction
Immigration detainees can be asylum seekers who have arrived legally and whose claims are being investigated. They may be detained because of a belief that they will 'disappear' otherwise. They can be people who have not arrived legally or who have overstayed their visas. Some are rejected asylum seekers awaiting removal. There are a few people who have criminal convictions and are being deported and there are some overlaps between the categories. All are detained on the orders of an immigration officer.
Britain currently has around 2000 immigration detainees in a range of specialist centres now called Reception Centres and Removal Centres. This number is due to double by next year - the government has promised 4000 places in these centres. Despite a promise that no more detainees would be held in prisons after 2001, up to 100 are still there. Most detainees are men, but women and children are also detained on some occasions. There is provision for up to 1000 women and children to be detained in Yarlswood, Harmondsworth, Oakington and Dungavel.
Immigration detainees have the right to apply for bail but this can be very difficult in practice. Many have no contacts in the UK and little chance of finding someone to stand surety for them. Access to good legal advice is difficult, as some of the accounts in this pamphlet describe, yet it is imperative if they are to be recognised as refugees. If you want to know more about this labyrinthine subject - the 'half world' of the Immigration 'courts' - contact Bail for Immigration Detainees (a list of contact details and web addresses is at the end of the pamphlet).
Some people spend years in detention. The helplessness, uncertainty and fear of deportation are extremely stressful, as these stories make clear. Some of those detained have been imprisoned or even tortured in their home country. Mental health problems are common and health care in detention is often poor. It can be very difficult for family or friends to visit because of the cost and travel problems. Visitors from local support groups can be very important.
Immigration detainees could be seen as the tip of the iceberg in terms of need. Those who are not detained suffer many of the same problems of fear, isolation and stress and are often very limited in their ability to move around and to communicate. For example, in big 'dispersal' hostels and in the proposed Accommodation Centres where all needs are supposed to be provided for, people have almost no cash to cover travel, telephones, letters and other necessities. Women sometimes feel very vulnerable to other inhabitants and those with babies and children find it very hard to manage in places like these.
The accounts in this pamphlet come from people who have been subject to immigration detention. They use the person's own words as far as possible and span the last 5 years. They are not in date order. The pamphlet has been put together by a small group which includes ex-detainees. We have tried to safeguard confidentiality as far as possible, unless the person wishes to be identified.
Ionel Dumitrascu, Gabriel Nkwele, Liz Peretz, Jo Garcia
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Read more |
Escape?
2003-01-26 -
A prisoner in HMP Bullingdon writes.
Read more
Campsfield House is hell fire on Earth.
2003-01-26 -
The account that follows is from someone who was forced to flee from Nigeria. He is certain that if he returned his life would be in extreme danger. If he were to succeed in his request for asylum, he would enrich the UK with his many working skills. All he is asking for is a chance to work and get on with his life, while coming to terms with the trauma he has experienced. This trauma has been intensified by experience in detention.
Read more
...something needs to be done...
2003-01-26 -
The following account was given at a conference to end detention in Europe, in September 2000 in Oxford. HK is a Ugandan refugee, who spent 17 months in Harmondsworth and Tinsley House. He is still waiting for refugee status.
Read more
Appeal for Urgent Intervention
2003-01-29 -
Gabriel Nkwelle had been held in detention in six institutions in England since 2001. The accounts that follow are excerpts from his letters from Rochester, Haslar and Belmarsh. The full letters can be found on the website for the Close Campsfield Campaign at http://www.closecampsfield.org.uk. He has finally been granted refugee status.
Read more
"I can't go back to my country and I'm asking for political asylum"
2003-01-29 -
This account describes arrival in the UK, experiences of the immigration service and detention in Campsfield. It comes from a man from a European country who, after two years of being subjected to immigration bail restrictions, has finally won his case on appeal. He has been recognised as a refugee under the 1931 Geneva Convention. Since his arrival in the UK he has helped numerous other asylum seekers including detainees.
Read more
Campsfield Monitor 1998
2003-01-29 -
Highlights from the Campsfield Monitor 1998. Conditions are shown to be deteriorating.
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I have been five months in detention. I have had no antenatal care.
2003-01-29 -
This short piece is the only one from a woman who has been detained.
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...when you are in the minority yours will be a test of courage.
2003-01-29 -
A speech given at the Conference to Defend Asylum Seekers, held at Cross Street Chapel, Manchester, Saturday March 23rd 2002.
Read more
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