HMI Prisons latest inspection of Heathrow-based IRC praises response to major failings identified in previous years
A new inspection report published earlier this month by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons (HMI Prisons) has praised Harmondsworth Immigration Removal Centre (IRC) at Heathrow for its 'exceptional' response to earlier failings.
Image credit: UK GovernmentThe 27-page report can be downloaded here.
Previous inspections in 2017 and 2024 criticised Harmondsworth for poor management and dirty, run-down and neglected communal areas, concluding there had been an unacceptable deterioration in standards. HMI Prisons said the findings were the worst ever for an immigration removal centre.
In its latest inspection in February 2025, HMI Prisons found substantial and welcome improvements had been made in many areas. The leadership team at Harmondsworth demonstrated a strong commitment to addressing the issues identified in earlier inspections. The centre manager, along with a more capable senior leadership team, played a crucial role in driving these improvements. Collaborative efforts between various agencies were also highlighted as a key factor in the IRC's progress.
Harmondsworth had undergone extensive refurbishment, resulting in much better living conditions for detainees. The worst living unit, Cedar, was closed for renovation, while the Dove unit had already been refurbished and reopened. Detainees spoken to by HMI Prisons were positive about the living conditions. Cleanliness in the centre was much improved, though some problems remained, including poor ventilation. None of the windows could be opened to let in fresh air, which HMI Prisons identified as a major concern.
Progress over the safeguarding of vulnerable detainees, however, saw insufficient progress. The policies and procedures intended to reduce detention times and protect the most vulnerable remained ineffective.
HMI Prisons noted: "There were still significant weaknesses in processes to protect the most vulnerable, and most detainees were released following a grant of bail, rather than a decision of the Home Office. More detainees leaving the centre were released than removed, 49% against 43%, with 8% transferred to another place of detention. […] Some people were detained with insufficient consideration of their vulnerability. In our casework sample, two individuals with a history of mental illness were detained without the Home Office seeking an update on their health, and despite an estimate that it would take over six months to remove them. Both subsequently fell ill and were transferred to hospital under the Mental Health Act."
Detainees were waiting more than two weeks for Rule 35 assessments, despite widespread concerns about torture and suicidal ideation. Of the 337 Rule 35 reports submitted in the six months prior to the inspection most related to claims of torture, yet only 22% resulted in release—a drop from 44% in the previous six month period. Only eight reports concerned suicide risk, even though 28 detainees had been placed under constant supervision for self-harm risks. Inspectors also found troubling cases where the Home Office failed to act on information that individuals were suicidal, including after a hanging attempt.
The report also highlighted communication failures, such as delays in notifying the Home Office when a detainee with severe mental health needs stopped taking anti-psychotic medication. Case progression remained poor, with significant delays caused by errors and missing documentation. In one case, a detainee remained in detention for 14 months due to a failure to serve a deportation order and a subsequent delay in starting the re-documentation process.
In overall management of self-harm and suicide prevention, HMI Prisons reported that good progress had been made. Staffing levels in the safety team had increased significantly and staff took an increasingly proactive approach to supporting detainees in crisis. An increase in frontline operational staff also saw good progress in overall safety at Harmondsworth. Detainees told inspectors that they felt physically safe in the centre.
Provision of health services remained a concern, with insufficient progress. The centre's mental health team receives over 140 referrals a month, yet continues to operate only during weekday office hours, leaving detainees without access to timely care outside those hours. This limited availability has led to missed assessment deadlines, creating serious risks for detainees in crisis.
While the psychological services had expanded to include trauma-focused group therapy and workshops—receiving positive feedback—demand still far outpaces capacity, with 73 individuals waiting for psychological assessment when inspectors visited. The report also highlighted long delays in transferring severely unwell detainees to external psychiatric care. Only one of four recent transfers to a psychiatric intensive care unit occurred within the recommended 28-day timeframe, with the longest wait lasting 70 days.
Charlie Taylor, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, acknowledged, however, that while significant challenges remain, the overall improvements at Harmondsworth were exceptional. He praised the leadership for their achievements so far, noting that they had laid strong foundations for continued progress.