Report asks if immigration centre fit for purpose

Yarl's Wood is able to accomodate 410 persons across five different units

An independent monitoring board has said it "questions the fitness" of an immigration removal centre to detain people, after five major incidents in a year.

Yarl’s Wood in Milton Ernest, Bedfordshire, is an immigration removal centre where people with disputed status can be detained without a defined time limit.

In its annual report for 2023, the Yarl's Wood Independent Monitoring Board raised a number of concerns over incidents including the escape of 13 detainees.

A spokesperson for Serco, the firm that operates the unit, said last year was a "challenging year" and it would "continue to work hard" to ensure it was a "safe secure establishment".

The report stated over the course of 2023 there had "again been a marked increase in violence", with "many altercations between detained persons".

Five major incidents were reported, including two where "significant damage" was made to units and the sports facilities.

One of these incidents also included the escape of 13 detained persons, five of whom were immediately located, with the remainder being apprehended over the course of several weeks.

Two other incidents saw a detained person climb on a fence and another on a unit roof to prevent their removal.

"The fragility of the centre’s fabric has been exposed by the above incidents and the board questions the fitness of Yarl’s Wood for the purpose of detention," the report said.

Incidents including physical and verbal assaults on both female and male officers working on the site were also noted.

However, officers making efforts to diffuse potential altercations and "engage in mediation" were praised.

Concerns were raised over the number of individuals arriving at Yarl's Wood with mental health issues

The length of detention was noted as an issue by the board - it saw an increase in the length of stay and the percentage of persons detained more than two months increase to 23% from 14% in 2022.

The report said there was a link between "the level of violence and the increased occupancy of the centre".

Some women at the centre also told the board they felt "exposed and uncomfortable with the behaviour of some of the men" who were able to see into their unit from an outdoor exercise area from their own unit.

While recruitment and retention of staff was a "constant challenge", the centre had offered several initial training courses for new recruits and the board commended the "appointment of an increasingly diverse staff who bring with them a range of important additional language skills".

'Dignity and respect'

A Serco spokesman said 2023 was a "challenging year" for Yarl's Wood, "largely due to the increase in number of foreign national offenders" that arrived from prison.

"We are proud that this report highlights some of the excellent work that our team does and we are particularly pleased that the board recognises the efforts of our officers to reduce violence," they added.

"We will continue to work hard to ensure that Yarl’s Wood is a safe, secure establishment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect."