1. Decide as early on as possible, what kind of visitor you want to be
Do you intend to do just a one-off visit ?
Do you want to visit the detainee regularly ?
Do you want to be a 'befriender' (just be a friend that they can talk to) as opposed to a visitor who wants to get involved with the detainee's immigration case with the aim to help them get out ?

All types of visiting are possible and welcome.

You need to bear in mind that you may be the only person the detainee has to turn to in this country and they may hope that you can do something to get them out.

You need to decide what kind of visitor you want to be and make it clear to the detainee before you start visiting them. If you are not sure you want to get involved in the case, better to be conservative initially with any expectation you convey to the detainee (you can get more deeply involved later if you feel you can and want to).

2. What 'qualifications' do you need as a visitor?
Nothing really you just have to be a good listener and be sympathetic. It helps if you know about immigration & asylum policy and the related legal process, but you can learn that as you go along (this has been the case with most visitors). Don't be put off if you don't know about asylum policies / legislation / law many detainees will be in a similar position

3. Can I visit together with an 'experienced' visitor?
Yes. Initial visits can be with an experienced visitor.

4. Do I need to be able to speak another language?
No. Many detainees have good or reasonable English. However, it could be be a bonus if you speak another language, most African/Asian detainees usually have second languages French/Arabic, most detainees of Muslim faith will have Arabic as a second language.

5. What security measures will I be subjected to?
You will need at least to provide a driving licence or passport which ever detention centre/prison you visit, if your driving licence does not contain your photograph you may need secondary proof, utility bill etc.

You will be searched: Depends on each detention centre/detention prison, but can include passing a walk-through metal detector (or a hand-held one which is waved around your body), a rub-down search of your body (it's fairly gentle and you don't take any clothes off apart from your coat), you may have your shoes checked, your coat may go through x-ray machine, you may be photographed and finger-printed.

Visiting criminal prisons is very restricted, you will not be allowed to take anything whatsoever with you into the visiting area, you will be thoroughly electronically/physically searched and may have your photograph taken.

6. Can I take the detainee a gift?
Yes on visits to detention centres, detention prisons. However you need to check with the centre/prison what you can hand over to the detainee.
Most-wanted item is money for phoning kind of customary to take £5 on a visit (not obligatory) or more if the detainee is close to being removed and had many phone calls to make. There is a list of banned items for each detention centre mostly obvious stuff. Not obvious banned items include chewing gum and anything with metal bits in it. No food whatsoever allowed. Probably best to stick to writing materials, clothing and toiletries (nothing with glass bottles or any kind of aerosol spray pump-action sprays OK). In some detention centres it's possible to use phone cards brought from outside (you can buy a card and phone the detainee with the access number and PIN). In some detention centres the detainee is obliged to buy phone credit from the detention centre. Probably best just to take £5 on your first visit and check with detainee if they can use a phone-card from outside for future.

Visiting detainees in criminal prisons you cannot take gifts of any kind, you may be able to post some items in, you will have to check with each prison.

7. Can I take a friend or family to visit?
Yes. Detainees usually love to see your friends and family. Some visitors take their children in as the detainees love it and some people feel it's appropriate for their children to grow up knowing of social injustices such as immigration detention. It's entirely up to you.

8. Will the detainee be in a traumatised state?
Maybe. Different people cope with detention in different ways. Some do get very depressed and detention may lead to physical and mental health problems. Please remember that your visit will probably cheer the detainee up enormously, and they will cherish the time with you.

9. Will it be difficult and depressing for me?
Maybe. Certainly what detainees have gone through before leaving their countries of origin and what they are subjected to in the UK, can affect you and their hopelessness at times will leave an indelible impression on you.

10. Will it always be difficult and depressing?

No. Many long-lasting friendships are formed between detainees and visitors. There are many visits you will enjoy, and look forward to. For me personally, I feel hugely frustrated but it's not always depressing because the detainee and I work on an 'action plan' to try and get them out, so there are often positive steps to go for. For me personally, there are some very sweet moments like when your detainee is released. It could be quite traumatic if your detainee is removed you may be really worried about their safety and you may miss them. However, from my personal experience, most of the people I have visited do get out of detention eventually.

11. Where can I visit ?

Yarl's Wood (Bedford) - female detainees, visits 2-5pm and 6-9pm, need to book 24 hrs in advance

Campsfield (Oxford) - male detainees, visits afternoons, need to book 24 hrs in advance

Oakington (Cambridge) - men, women, families, visits afternoons, need to book 24 hrs in advance

Haslar (Portsmouth) - male detainees

Lindholme (Doncaster) - male detainees

Dover - male detainees

Tinsley House (Gatwick) - men, women, families visits : 2-9pm, no need to book

Harmondsworth (Heathrow) male detainees - visits : 2-9pm, no need to book

Dungavel (Glasgow) men, women, children visits afternoons, no need to book

Please note that none of the detention centres is anywhere near the town centres of the towns listed above; they are all awkward to get to.

Criminal prisons all over the country addresses can be found at
http://www.hmprisonservice.gov.uk/prisons/

You will have to book your visit in advance, this can only be done by phone and it can take days/weeks to get a prison to answer the phone.

12. If you want to go ahead and become a visitor:

Please let us know:
a) What kind of visitor do you think you want to be (at least initially)'
b) Where you want to visit we will give you detailed info
c) If you would like to visit first with an 'experienced' visitor, will arrange
d) Any languages you speak we'll try and take advantage of that
e) When you want to visit

We will help you arrange a visit

Please, become a visitor!!!!!! Detainees need you badly !

Later on, feel free to ask for more info on things like
What is Bail,
What is a Surety,
How can I help my detainee with their case, etc., etc.
Look forward to hearing back from you !

Ready to visit send a message to:
detainee-visits@ncadc.org.uk

Full addresses of all Detention Centres/Detention prisons can be found here.

Many thanks to Emma Ginn of SADY for compiling this guide.