Detention, prison and your rights in the United Kingdom

Detention, prison and your rights in the United Kingdom · ئینفۆکیت

Arriving without permission can lead to immigration detention — which is not a punishment — or to arrest and a criminal charge. Detention can happen on arrival, days later, or straight after the screening interview.

A detention centre (an IRC) is not a prison: people are held there because of their immigration status or for removal, not to be punished. But there is no maximum length of detention.

Say as early as you can, including in the screening interview, if you are under 18, if you have been a victim of torture, exploitation or modern slavery, if you have a mental health condition or a serious physical illness or disability, if you are pregnant, or if you have suffered sexual or gender-based violence. These are the things that get people out of detention.

In a detention centre you have the right to legal representation as soon as possible, and to an interpreter. Every centre has a Duty Advice Scheme: around thirty minutes of free legal advice. Different firms attend on different days, so sign up early — but it does not guarantee that the firm will take your case afterwards.

You will usually not be able to keep your phone, but you will have access to computers and email. Before it is taken, email yourself your documents and important numbers, and learn your email address and password by heart. Border Force may search and seize your phones and devices as evidence.

In a police station you have the right to a lawyer, an interpreter and a doctor. Answer nothing before the lawyer arrives: you have the right to remain silent.

The offences involved are those in sections 24 and 25 of the Immigration Act 1971, hardened by the Nationality and Borders Act 2022 and then by the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act 2025, which created new offences: endangering lives during a crossing, preparing or supplying boats and equipment, and advertising or organising crossings online. A criminal record does not automatically exclude you from refugee status.

You can apply for bail. For free help: Bail for Immigration Detainees, 020 7456 9750, Monday to Thursday, 10:00 to 12:00. To check that an adviser is authorised: portal.immigrationadviceauthority.gov.uk/s/adviser-finder.

The numbers to write down before you are detained: AVID 0800 138 6568; Detention Action 0800 587 2096 (Harmondsworth, Colnbrook); Gatwick Detainees Welfare Group 0800 389 4367 (Brook House, Tinsley House); Beyond Detention for Yarl's Wood 0800 3101 992; JRS Detention 07856 309908; Solidarity Detainee Support 07438 407570; Care4Calais 07482 847775; Humans for Rights Network 07506 663089; JCWI 0800 160 1004 (Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 10:00 to 12:00); Duncan Lewis 033 3772 0409.

If you are detained on arrival in the United Kingdom, send a text message to 07482 847775 with your name and your language.

You can also be detained for removal to France under the UK/France transfer scheme. A “Notice of intent” announces that intention: it is a document to show a lawyer immediately.