Breakout and towards a history of Resistance in the UK 's Detention Centres

This post will eventually consist of a report on a meeting facilitated by NoBorders London - Resistance in the UK 's Detention Centres [http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/06/401807.html] [programme posted below] held on 24th June and links to to some of the materials circulated at the meeting covering the recent history of hunger strikes, revolts and organising within detention centres in the UK. The meeting was extremely inspiring, with several 'resistance leaders' giving accounts of their struggles against carceral detention in terrible conditions at sites such as Yarl's Wood and Harmondsworth. In the meantime, while I am writing that up, it seems worth highlighting the news of a recent riot and escape (three inmates still out) from Campsfield House and some upcoming topical actions

Image: Harmondsworth revolt November 2006

There will be a demonstration in support of the detainees at Campsfield, 12pm Saturday 28 June. Campsfield House is an immigration removal centre run under Detention Centre Rules (2001). The centre is located approximately 5 miles north of Oxford. Campsfield House IRC, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxfordshire, OX5 1RE

There is a weekly picket on the first Tuesday of every month 1-2pm at Communications House where asylum seekers must report on a weekly basis. Protest at UK Immigration Service, Communications House, 210 Old Street, London, EC1V 9BR (nearest tube – Old Street).

Image: Weekly picket at Communications House

Indymedia report from http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/06/401100.htmlRiot at Campsfield Detention Centre

Reports are emerging of what appears to have been a riot at Campsfield House, an immigration detention centre in Oxfordshire. Details at this point are sketchy, but it appears that small fires were started and that detainees were returned to their cells by prison officers in riot gear. According to corporate media accounts, there was a heavy police presence with some 50 officers in attendance and a helicopter overhead. A cordon was set up and dog handlers patrolled the perimeter. This is the latest in a series of "disturbances" at the facility. In August last year, 26 immigrants managed to escape. Prior to that in March, an Algerian man attempted to forcefully resist efforts by immigration authorities to remove him. When fellow detainees attempted to help him a riot ensued in which 2 detainees and 7 staff staff were hospitalised. Previous Features: 26 migrants escape immigration prison in Oxford http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/03/365388.html | Resistance and Riot in Campsfield | Campsfield detainees on hunger strike | Close Campsfield Now! Links: Campaign to Close Down Campsfield http://www.closecampsfield.org.uk/ | No Borders Network http://noborders.org.uk/ | Indymedia UK Migration Topic Page http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/topics/migration/

BBC report 14th June Riot alert at immigration centre from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/oxfordshire/745...

A team of prison officers has helped to restore order at an immigration detention centre after a disturbance. The team, dressed in riot gear, went into Campsfield House in Kidlington, Oxfordshire, to escort detainees back to their rooms, the Home Office said. Earlier small fires had been started and one person suffered smoke inhalation, but no detainees escaped. Detainees were held in an exercise yard to calm down. It is the latest in a number of disturbances at the centre. A Home Office spokeswoman said on Saturday evening: "There is no trouble ongoing. Everything is under control, it is being wound down." Troubled past Earlier about 10 fire engines, 50 police officers and a police helicopter were sent to the scene after smoke was seen billowing from the centre. A police cordon was set up around the centre and dog handlers patrolled the perimeters. There were no serious injuries reported. This is the fourth reported disturbance in the last 16 months Evan Harris, local MP The Home Office spokeswoman said: "It hasn't been a major incident. It is all over now and people are being taken back to their rooms." There have been a series of problems at the centre. In March 2007 nine people were hurt in a disturbance and in August last year 26 men fled after a fire, with eight still on the run. Another 120 detainees rioted in December. Evan Harris, Liberal Democrats MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, said: "The primary concern is for the safety of the inmates and staff. "This is the fourth reported disturbance in the last 16 months and suggests there is something seriously wrong either with the Home Office systems or the management of the centre." Campsfield was converted to a detention centre holding 200 male asylum seekers in 1993 and is run by the American company GEO.

Disturbance at Campsfield House

from: http://www.cherwell.org/cherwell/content/view/7658...

Leon Harrington Saturday, 14 June 2008  

Fire broke out at Campsfield House Immigration Removal Centre on Saturday 14th, with plumes of smoke reportedly visible.

It is believed small fires were started, but were limited to one block of the facility.

Violent disturbances were reported, with a number of inmates reportedly smashing furniture and climbing onto the roof.

There was a heavy police presence and 10 fire engines are understood to have attended, as well as a police helicopter and paramedics. One detainee was apparently seen being put into an ambulance.

A inmate told independent news site Indymedia that the incident began around lunchtime, with detainees protesting over detention times. Detainees were held in an exercise yard during the incident.

A Home Office spokesman said: "Police were asked by the UK Border Agency for assistance and police have secured the perimeter, which has not been breached.

"Specially trained prison officers have been sent to the site in riot gear in case they are needed to go inside."

This is not the first time the controversial detention centre has seen such an incident. In July last year 26 people escaped after a fire, with 8 still on the run, and there have been two further incidents in the last 16 months.

In a video investigation for Cherwell last term, Nejra Cehic uncovered allegations of violence within Campsfield House and examined the plight of failed asylum seekers.

Campsfield House is run by the UK branch of private American firm GEO Group Inc.

Inmates escape from Campsfield

Leon Harrington

Tuesday, 24 June 2008

http://www.cherwell.org/cherwell/content/view/7662/39/

Seven detainees escaped from Campsfield on Thursday, with three believed to be still at large

There was further embarrassment for the Government and Campsfield House contractor GEO as seven detainees escaped from the Immigration Removal Centre on Thursday. Three remain at large.

The escape is the latest in a series of damaging incidents at the detention centre, the most recent being when inmates started several small fires and rioted on 14th June. Riot police and a helicopter were called in by Campsfield staff.

Last August saw 26 inmates escape from the detention centre, with 8 still at large, and detainees also rioted last December.

The three escapees are Mohammed Aref Hosseini, Abdesalam Tark Ben, and Abdelhak Morid, who are described as 'low risk' illegal immigrants.

Oxford MP Evan Harris, speaking at the time of the escape, said: "This further incident at Campsfield House is unacceptable for local residents and for the welfare of staff and detainees alike.

"It seems that lessons have not been learned following previous disturbances and it is time for a proper, fully independent investigation.

"There is something wrong with the way the Home Office is operating the system, or the way GEO is running the centre and I will be speaking to Home Office minister Liam Byrne as soon as possible."

The incidents have fuelled criticism of the contractor GEO, a UK subsidiary of American firm GEO Group Inc. GEO have repeatedly refused to comment on allegations surrounding Campsfield.

The Home Office has since confirmed that Immigration minister Liam Byrne will review the firm's contract after the latest incident.

There are plans for a similar detention centre to be built near Bicester.

Programme for Radical History Meeting

Tuesday 24 June 2007 – 7 pm

T&G, Transport House, 128 Theobalds Road, London WC1X 8TN

Introduction

Purpose of meeting:

to raise awareness of detention centre protest as a political movement

to support current protest by setting it within a historical tradition

Scope of meeting:

detainee activism in detention

NOT conditions of detention or surrounding issues about the asylum system, destitution, anti-deportation campaigns etc.

Outline of chronology and main types of resistance and summary of main events.

Speakers from various detention centre protests, including the 2005 Yarl’s Wood mass hungerstrike and the 2006 Harmondsworth uprising

to talk about the events in which they were involved

to address some of the following questions if they want to

What were the triggers for the protests?

What were the demands? Why were those demands chosen?

Why did they choose that type of protest? What tactics did the protestors use in the course of their protests?

How did the protestors organise amongst themselves?

How did the protestors manage divide and rule tactics by the authorities?

What outside support did they get? How helpful was it? What kind of support were they hoping to get?

Outcomes – impact of the protests on conditions and treatment; gains and losses; repression by the authorities

How did the protests change the way the protestors viewed themselves and their situation?

Why have the protests had such a low profile relative both to the level of protest and to the profile given by activists to other forms of resistance? What is the relationship between detainee activism and what is called the ‘social movement’? Issues of racism etc.

Open discussion

Groups to give brief outline of current activities

Proposal for working group to create written record of history of detention centre resistance