Immigration detainees are among the most disadvantaged groups in this country. Many are young, vulnerable, away from family, homeland, familiar culture, religion and language, and imprisoned in a system they do not understand. Unlike convicted criminals, they do not know how long they will be held and can see no end to their incarceration. In their isolated state, they meet a system that does not believe what they say and makes it clear that they are not wanted here.
Many have suffered in their homeland: poverty, persecution, imprisonment, violence and sometimes torture. Having come this far, some are still optimistic when they arrive in detention and take part in the activities provided. As time goes by, they may become more anxious, depressed, or even suicidal, and start to wonder if they will ever get out. Others have been living in England for some time, perhaps having overstayed a work or student visa. Although people may criticise them for not keeping to the rules, it is tragic for them when they are uprooted from their lives here.
Some detainees have no legal adviser. Others are represented by scurrilous immigration consultants who take their money and do nothing to further their case. Some have good solicitors, but cannot understand the legal language they use. Detainees’ experiences before arriving at Tinsley House, their anxieties about those left behind, detention itself, the slowness and incomprehensibility of the system, and their isolation from everything that is familiar can lead to depression and sometimes mental breakdown. They are powerless and they feel powerless. As visitors, we often feel the same.
In 2008 ...
The 780 detainees we assisted came from 73 different countries. The top ten origin countries were:
1. Nigeria
2. Afghanistan
3. Eritrea
4. Iraq
5. Pakistan
6. Jamaica
7. Algeria
8. India
9. Iran
10. Turkey
