Tell your MP about alternatives to detention

In immigration detention people are locked up in prison-like conditions with no idea when they might be set free. It is frightening and dehumanising, and has long-term effects on their physical and mental health. But a new report from the UN Refugee Agency shows that it doesn't need to be this way.

Pilot projects providing community-based support to people who could otherwise be detained were more humane and resulted in significant improvements in mental health and wellbeing. At the same time, there was no evidence of reduced compliance with the Home Office and the approaches were cheaper and better value than detention.

With this government doubling down and planning to open yet more detention centres, we need MPs to see that another way is possible. Enter your postcode below to share the report with your MP.

342

Goal: 500

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Dear [recipient name will go here] [recipient position will go here] ,

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Have you seen this report from UNHCR on alternatives to detention in the UK? https://www.unhcr.org/uk/media/alternatives-detention-united-kingdom

I'm sure you are aware of the evidence regarding how damaging immigration detention can be. It tears families apart, takes people away from their support networks and has long-term effects on their physical and mental health. It puts LGBTQI+ people in a dangerous situation where they face bullying, harassment and abuse.

Following two Home Office funded pilot projects in the UK, UNHCR's report looks at the effects of using a people-centred approach to supporting people in the community instead of detaining them. They found that these approaches - which involved one-to-one support and legal counselling - are more humane and show significant improvements in the mental health and wellbeing of participants. What's more there is no evidence of a reduction in compliance with the Home Office and the approaches were both cheaper and better value for money.

In light of these findings, I want to know what your party will do to ensure that these community-based approaches are rolled out further.

We cannot keep locking people up in detention when a more compassionate way forward exists. The recent Brook House Inquiry has once again shone a light on the dehumanising and degrading treatment that people suffer in detention, and we must make sure this never happens again.

Sincerely,
[your name will go here]
[your email address will go here]
[your location will go here]

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