BID statement on death at Brook House IRC
BID responds to news of a death at Brook House IRC on 27th October.
We’re devastated that a person died in detention on Sunday. Our thoughts are with them and their loved ones.
For 25 years we have witnessed that there is no way to humanely deprive people of their liberty for immigration purposes.
Death is inevitable in the UK’s detention regime. The threat of it looms in detention centres, where people are often told the only way out is to leave the UK.
People in detention tell us that they are terrified of dying there. Many express suicidal ideations. Others worry about their medical conditions because they are deprived of their liberty and at the mercy of inadequate health services in detention.
Earlier this month an inquest jury found that multiple safeguarding failures contributed to the death of Frank Ospina, who died in detention last year.
As we continue our bail work in solidarity with everyone impacted by this deadly and inhumane system, we leave you with the words of Frank Ospina’s family:
“He didn’t ask for help, he begged for help.”
