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Positive treatment of women in immigration detention undermined by gaps in support

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Women in immigration detention do not always feel safe or get the support they need, according to new findings published today. The thematic review, by HM Inspectorate of Prisons, identifies several concerning gaps in care which increase some women’s risk of harm, exacerbate existing mental health difficulties and leave them feeling insecure and isolated.

Although individual inspections of immigration detention generally find reasonably positive outcomes for women, concerns around safety and safeguarding persist. This review finds that women were being let down by a system designed primarily for and populated by men. In December 2025, 119 women were held in immigration removal centres (IRCs), short-term holding facilities and prisons, making up just 6% of the immigration detainee population, though the numbers have been rising steadily since 2022. While 55 were held at Derwentside, a removal centre specifically for women, many were co-located in facilities with men, where they were often restricted to small areas and had to be escorted by staff. Some women told inspectors that they felt unsafe in these shared facilities, and some said they had received sexualised comments from men. Inspectors were disturbed to see some male detainees looking through women’s bedroom windows.

Some women had significant histories of poor mental health, including self-harm and suicide attempts, were victims of gender-based violence, modern slavery and trafficking, or were pregnant. Despite this, many were assessed as being fit to be detained. They regularly faced long, exhausting journeys to get to detention facilities, were often handcuffed without individualised risk assessments, and arrived late at night. Most women said escort and detention staff treated them well, but poor assessment and communication about their vulnerability, as well as gaps in staff knowledge and training at many centres, meant that vulnerable women did not always get the support they needed.

Language barriers and a lack of visits from family members left many women feeling isolated and alone. Only 40% of women at Derwentside and Dungavel IRCs said they had a good understanding of spoken English, and although detention staff mostly used translation services for formal processes and interviews, the importance of casual, everyday interactions was frequently overlooked. Some women had to wait more than 24 hours to contact family, and while it was generally easy for them to book visits, many avoided asking family members to make the journeys to the detention centres, often in a bid to protect or avoid distressing them.

Far fewer women than men are held in immigration detention in the UK, and, as a result, their experiences are still largely shaped by policies designed for men. This report outlines where current processes fall short for women, but also what is working well. In the facilities we visited for this review, we found compassionate and committed staff working hard to support a complex population. We hope our findings will help the Home Office and its contractors continue to improve the support for these very vulnerable detainees.
Charlie Taylor, Chief Inspector of Prisons

Notes to editors

  1. A copy of the full report, published on 14 July 2026, can be found on the HM Inspectorate of Prisons website at: https://hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk
  2. The fieldwork for this thematic took place alongside four routine inspections conducted between July and October 2025, and an additional announced visit to Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre (IRC). All of the facilities included in the fieldwork held female immigration detainees. They were: Dungavel, Derwentside and Yarl’s Wood immigration removal centres; Larne and Manchester residential short-term holding facilities; Capital Building, Dallas Court, Drumkeen House, Eaton House, EMRC, Festival Court, Ruskin Square, Sandford House, Vulcan House and Waterside Court reporting centres (non-residential short-term holding facilities).
  3. The immigration removal centres were operated by Mitie Care and Custody and Serco and the short-term holding facilities and were operated by Mitie Care and Custody.
  4. At the facilities inspectors carried out an interview or consultation with detainees, detainee and staff surveys, casework reviews, and data requests to the Home Office and contract service provider.
  5. HM Inspectorate of Prisons is an independent inspectorate, inspecting places of detention to report on conditions and treatment and promote positive outcomes for those detained and the public.
  6. Please email media@hmiprisons.gov.uk if you would like more information.