Self-Harm in Immigration Removal Centres

Every other day a detainee incarcerated in a UK Immigration Removal Centre (IRC), makes an attempt at self-harm (suicide), serious enough to require medical treatment.

• Posted on Mar 12, 2007

In the 10 months from April 2006 to January 2007 there were 176 attempts to self-harm that required medical treatment. That is one incident of self-harm every 1.7 days.

In the same period, 1,643 detainees were put on 'Formal Self-Harm at Risk'.

Detainees and campaigners believe the actual numbers are way higher than those reported.

Since the first Immigration Removal Centre opened in the UK, there have been 10 deaths from self-harm.

Number of incidents of Self-Harm requiring medical treatment January 2007
Campsfield House        1
Colnbrook       12
Dover           4
Dungavel                0
Harmondsworth   1
Haslar          0
Lindholme       0
Oakington       1
Tinsley House   0
Yarl's Wood     1

Number of individuals on 'Formal Self-Harm at Risk' January 2007
Campsfield House        0
Colnbrook       77
Dover           10
Dungavel                9
Harmondsworth   3
Haslar          3
Lindholme       3
Oakington       3
Tinsley House   5
Yarl's Wood     15

A full break down for the 10 months April 2006 to January 2007;
http://www.ncadc.org.uk/resources/self-harm2006.html

46 asylum seekers/migrants in the UK, have taken their own lives (since 2000)
30 in the community - 6 in prisons
10 in Immigration Removal Centres
Details: http://www.ncadc.org.uk/resources/selfharm.html

Source for this Message:
NCADC

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