Deaths of immigration detainees

Statistics
3 March 2026

Since 2017, 15 immigration detainees have died in immigration detention centres, and 16 have died in prisons in England and Wales since 2000.

The Home Office has released data annually on the deaths of immigration detainees in immigration detention centres since 2017. For 2017 - 2024, the data refers to Home Office data. For deaths that occurred since 1 January 2026, the data is taken from INQUEST's casework and monitoring. 

Immigration detention is the practice of holding people who are subject to immigration control in custody while they wait for permission to enter or before they are deported or removed from the country. Whilst the vast majority of immigration detainees are detained in immigration detention centres, non-British nationals who have served their sentence can remain detained in prison under immigration powers awaiting deportation. 

Deaths in Immigration Detention Centres, England and Wales, 2017 - 2025 by year
YearSelf-InflictedNatural causesOtherTotal
20260000
20250000
20240101
20232002
20220101
20211102
20200000
20190011
20180101
20174 2 17
Total76215

 

Data concerning the deaths of immigration detainees in prison is taken from INQUEST's casework and monitoring.

Deaths of immigration detainees in prison England and Wales, 2000 - 2025, by year
YearSelf-InflictedNon-Self-InflictedRestraintHomicideAwaiting classificationTotal
2026000000
2025000000
2024000000
2023000011
2022000000
2021100001
2020100001
2019000000
2018100001
2017300003
2016000000
2015000000
2014100001
2013010001
2012000000
2011100001
2010010001
2009010001
2008100001
2007100001
2006000000
2005000000
2004100001
2003200002
2002000000
2001000000
2000000000
Total13300116

 

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