A 26-year-old man’s death at the controversial Brook House center highlights ongoing issues in the immigration detention system.
A 26-year-old man has died while in custody at the Brook House migrant removal center in West Sussex. Serco, the company that operates the facility, has confirmed the man’s passing.
The Home Office has expressed its condolences to the man’s family and friends, acknowledging the tragedy of this loss.
Migrant removal centers like Brook House house a range of detainees, including asylum seekers and individuals awaiting deportation.
Concerningly, a public inquiry last year uncovered a disturbing culture at the center, with migrants subjected to degrading treatment and the inappropriate use of force by staff.
The inquiry identified numerous incidents of mistreatment, including the infliction of unnecessary pain and the use of dangerous restraint techniques.
Additionally, the facility was found to be overcrowded, dirty, and plagued by noise from the nearby Gatwick Airport.
There were also widespread reports of the use of the so-called “zombie drug” Spice among detainees.
While the Home Office has pledged to improve immigration detention facilities, progress appears to have been slow.
A recent report by the Gatwick Independent Monitoring Board found “continuing failings” at Brook House and the government has implemented only one of the 33 recommendations made by the public inquiry.
Advocacy groups like Gatwick Detainees Welfare Group have expressed their anguish, stating that “no one should take their last breath” at a place likened to a prison.
Amnesty International UK’s refugee and migrant rights director, Steve Valdez-Symonds, called the death a “tragedy” and emphasized the urgent need for the government to bring “humanity to the immigration system.”
As this heartbreaking incident highlights, the conditions and treatment of migrants at facilities like Brook House remain a pressing concern that requires immediate attention and meaningful reform to prevent further tragedies.