Immigration detainees at risk of self harm doubles

March 13, 2006 in Asylum and refugees, Self harm/suicide

The number of asylum seekers and immigration detainees deemed at risk of self-harming at Harmondsworth immigration removal centre has almost doubled since 2004, according to new figures.

The statistics show that between April 2005 and February 2006 staff initiated self-harm prevention procedures 376 times compared to 192 times for the previous 12 months.

There were also 38 instances of self harm that required medical treatment at the centre during the more recent of the two periods.