Detention Action

Who we are

Detention Action is a cutting-edge NGO that is transforming the debate on immigration detention. Combining service-delivery in detention centres with innovative advocacy for change, Detention Action has played a key role in collaborative campaigning for detention reform.

Detention Action’s staff and volunteers provide support and advice to migrants detained indefinitely in the two detention centres at Heathrow, as well as in prisons. We use the evidence from our casework to make the case for urgent reform. We play a key role in the campaign for a time limit and an end to indefinite detention.

This advocacy has transformed detention into a significant political issue, leading to a reduction of the use of detention by a third, the end of the systematic detention of asylum-seekers, and increased focus on alternatives to detention.

In 2020, we brought a successful legal challenge which prevented the removal of the majority of those due to be deported on a charter flight to Jamaica, and we also challenged the Home Office on its handling of Covid-19 in detention, resulting in the release of hundreds of people who were detained. More recently, we were part of the challenge to stop the ‘Rwanda Plan’ which recently won at the court of appeal. We also threatened legal action concerning unlawful detentions at the Manston processing centre, which led to the Home Secretary clearing the centre.

Our team is made up of passionate individuals looking to defend the rights of people in detention at a critical time for our organisation and the wider immigration and human rights sector.