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Violence and self-harming soars at notorious Brook House detention site, inspectors warn
A general view of D Wing on the official opening of Brook House Immigration Removal Centre, next to Gatwick Airport in West Sussex, March 2009

VIOLENCE and self-harming have soared at a notorious immigration detention centre, after a public inquiry exposed its toxic culture, inspectors warned today.

HM Chief Inspector of Prisons found that the health service at Brook House centre in West Sussex is at “breaking point,” with fights and assaults on staff up more than five-fold since their last visit in 2022.

Incidents of self-harm have also more than doubled to 12 a month over the period.

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