Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, following the death on 29 October of a man while detained at Brook House Immigration Removal Centre, what steps have been taken to provide those detained there with counselling and other forms of bereavement support; and how and when were those people notified of such support.

Any death in immigration detention is a tragic event and our condolences are with the family and friends of the individual who sadly died on 27 October at Brook House immigration removal centre (IRC).

On the night of the individual’s death, notices were circulated by the supplier, notifying residents of the death and offering immediate wellbeing support with custodial staff tasked to make any necessary referrals to the healthcare mental health team for onward care. Centre staff and the healthcare and chaplaincy teams provided support to any residents who wanted to speak to staff, including face to face meetings and signposting to Samaritans and bereavement helplines. Additionally, the chaplaincy team arranged a memorial service for all faiths the following day. Residents attending this service who wished to talk were referred on to the healthcare mental health team.

Centre suppliers at Brook House IRC and across the immigration detention estate assessed all open and post closure Assessment, Care in Detention and Teamwork (ACDT) cases the day following the death, with formal reviews undertaken for those considered particularly vulnerable to the news and at increased risk of self-harm.