The new chief inspector of prisons has now called on the time limits on how long people can stay on immigration centers. These recommendations came after authorities found out that detainees stay for more than five years inside the facility.
The Harmondsworth detention centre was inspected by chief inspector Peter Clark. The inspector found out that there have been 18 detainees who have stayed in the center for more than a year and another who stayed for a total of nearly four years and a half, as per The Guardian.
He added that the Home Office agreed that detainees should not be held for unreasonable periods of time but the agency didn't follow the agreed arrangement. The inspector suggested there should be time limits on the length of each person's stay. This proposal was agreed upon by all party group of MP's which agreed on a 28-day limit.
Harmondsworth is considered as the largest detention centre in Europe. The authorities however found out that 661 male detainees were wearing dirty and run down clothes. According to Care Appointments, the unannounced inspection last September 2015 revealed that the centre didn't address the concerns they had in 2013 and they found out that matters have deteriorated in the facility.
According to BBC, Nearly half of the detainees said they already felt depressed and considered committing suicide upon arrival. They added that the early day risk assessment process was not good enough despite the improve reception environment.
Authorities said the lack of investment during the last stage of the contract contributed to the deterioration of the facility. The Mitie group took responsibility of managing the centre back in 2014 after the GEO group left the center to deteriorate. Both Harmondsworth and Colnbrook Immigration centre are now under the supervision of the Mitie group management and will be recognized as Heathrow immigration removal centre.
