The Walking Inquiry into Immigration Detention

The Campaign

The UK is the only country in Western Europe to detain people indefinitely under immigration rules. People detained indefinitely cannot count down to a release date, they can only count up.  This has a devastating effect on mental health.

In 2020, a public inquiry began into mistreatment at Brook House immigration removal centre, Gatwick.  The Gatwick Detainees Welfare Group (GDWG) has supported people held at Gatwick for 30 years.  Through their outreach project, Refugee Tales, they initiated the Walking Inquiry to complement the public inquiry and enable a wider range of people to take part and make the case for change.

The voices and views of people with lived experience of detention are central to every aspect of the Walking Inquiry. They harnessed the power of walking and talking together, as different conversations are possible when walking alongside each other and understanding is deepened by listening and reflecting with others.

The Change

Through walks, workshops, and online, together people explored the nature and impacts of immigration detention. Contributions were rich and varied, including testimony, visual artworks, letters, videos, prose, and poetry. They shine a light on the daily realities and enduring impacts of immigration detention, and the systemic nature of its abuses.

The campaign launched their report in Parliament, with MPs from all main parties speaking of the need for change. To widen public awareness, the Walking Inquiry created a travelling exhibition. Their findings explicitly consider why people who have experienced immigration detention are not heard in our society, and the many ways in which they are dehumanised, excluded, and silenced. 

GDWG’s Self Advocacy Group of people with experience of detention uses the findings in an ongoing programme of meetings with politicians. Many MPs know little about the complexities of immigration detention, so their work is deepening understanding. They have discussed their findings with senior faith leaders, academics, journalists, and others.

The Brook House Public Inquiry reported in September 2023. One of its 33 recommendations is an end to indefinite detention and a 28-day limit. This is hugely significant – a 28-day limit is one of the key changes the campaign calls for as an urgent first step.

The Future

The campaign believes it is vital that the Brook House Public Inquiry recommendations are understood, taken seriously, and implemented. They continue to use the Walking Inquiry findings and exhibition to increase awareness amongst the public and people of influence. Many have spoken about how much they’ve learnt from the campaign, and how they knew little of these issues before.

The campaign wants to support people with experience of detention to gain confidence and agency.  Self Advocacy Group members are giving media interviews, meeting politicians, speaking on public platforms, staffing the exhibition, and have become part of a strong, mutually supportive community that is determined to achieve positive policy change.