Man dies at Brook House migrant removal centre
- A 26-year-old man died at the Brook House migrant removal centre in West Sussex, UK.
- The facility has been criticized for a history of mistreatment and degrading conditions for detainees.
- Advocacy groups are calling for urgent reforms to improve the treatment of individuals within the immigration system.
In West Sussex, UK, a 26-year-old man died while being held at the Brook House migrant removal centre, operated by Serco, on a Sunday. This detention facility houses various detainees, including asylum seekers and individuals awaiting deportation. The Home Office expressed condolences to the man's family. A public inquiry initiated in 2017 highlighted severe allegations regarding the treatment of detainees, describing an environment of abuse and a toxic culture, which was corroborated by a subsequent report indicating ongoing failings at the facility. Evidence of mistreatment including use of force, overcrowding, and degrading conditions were reported, drawing attention to systemic issues in immigration detention practices. Advocacy groups condemned this incident as a tragedy reflecting broader issues within UK's immigration system, urging the government to prioritize humane treatment of individuals in detention. With calls for reforms following previous recommendations ignored, the urgency for change in the approach to immigration enforcement is more pronounced than ever.