Colnbrook Immigration Removal Centre

Detainees

Colnbrook is a new centre, which opened at the start of September 2004. It has a capacity of 326, and like Harmondsworth is a centre for single men. It is intended primarily for detainees who are considered to be a security risk, or who are due to be removed in a few days via Heathrow. It also includes a Short Term Holding Centre, where detainees of either gender can be held for a few days, and a few places allocated to Customs and Excise.

Detainees can contact us on our detainee freephone 0800 587 2096

How to get there

The nearest underground station is Heathrow Terminal 1/2/3 - then bus U3 from the Central Bus Station, just outside the Underground station. The bus ride takes about 10 minutes. It goes through a tunnel, round a roundabout and then turns left out of the Heathrow complex. Get off at the 3rd stop after the left turn, just before the bus turns right at some lights. Cross over at the lights and carry on walking down this road (Bath Rd / Colnbrook Bypass) for about 5 mins. Colnbrook is on the right, between the Sheraton Hotel and Harmondsworth. It doesn't have a sign. You enter via a drive shared with Harmondsworth, and turn right into the Colnbrook car-park.

Visiting hours are 2pm-9:30pm daily, including weekends and public holidays. Visits do not need to be booked in advance with the centre.

Security

Colnbrook operates with higher security than any other immigration removal centre in the UK, and the majority of prisons. It was planned in the aftermath of the disturbances at Yarls Wood, in which a large part of that removal centre was burnt down. Although it is intended to cater for detainees considered a security risk, the vast majority have never committed a crime.

Colnbrook is operated by a private security company called Serco Home Affairs, under contract to Immigration. Serco Home Affairs also run Dungavel House Immigration Removal Centre in Scotland.

Detainees are locked in their rooms from 10:15pm to 7:15am, and three times a day for roll-call. There is no freedom of movement around the centre - detainees are locked on their wing unless they have booked to use the facilities, in which case they have to wait to be escorted by officers. Facilities are similar to Harmondsworth: computers (with games and word processing), gym, TV / association rooms (small), library, classes in English, crafts, music etc. Different activities / areas are available to each wing on a rota. Religious provision is similar to Harmondsworth, with dedicated rooms and imams etc coming to the centre on specific days. There is a Medical Centre with on site doctors (3), nurses, dentist and full-time counsellor.

Each wing is over 3 floors, with a prison-style staircase and open area down the middle.

Two detainees share each room, with TVs (including satellite). Telephones are in the corridor. One of the 4 wings will be for non-compliant detainees, and will afford slightly reduced access to activities.

HM Inspectorate of Prisons Report

The September 2005 report on Colnbrook by the independent HM Inspectorate of Prisons can be read at: http://inspectorates.homeoffice.gov.uk/ hmiprisons/inspect_reports/irc-inspections.html/?d-2610553-p=1