Detention in immigration centres seriously harms children

For the article published in Child Abuse & Neglect: The International Journal, a team of paediatricians and clinical psychologists examined the mental and physical health of 24 children detained at Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre.

The study, which is the first of its kind in the UK, revealed that of 11 children aged between three and 11, all had developed symptoms of depression and anxiety since being detained and eight had developed severe emotional and behavioural problems despite never requiring the support of a mental health professional before.

Report author Dr Ann Lorek, a consultant paediatrician at the Mary Sheridan Centre for Child Health, said: "Our study contains evidence that children in detention have worsening physical and mental health, and express worrying levels of trauma and sickness, despite well intentioned staff.

"They are locked up with family members for indefinite periods of time, often on several occasions. As doctors, we ask for safeguards to protect these vulnerable children from further harm in detention."

The doctors also found that only four of the 20 children seen by a paediatrician had evidence of age appropriate childhood immunisation, six had missed health appointments including follow-ups relating to HIV and spina bifida and the majority suffered from sleep problems, headaches and abdominal pain.

Lisa Nandy, policy adviser at The Children's Society, said: "There has been quite a lot the government has tried to do to improve the conditions of the detention estate and there have been a number of initiatives to try and improve the way children are treated.

"But this report shows that detention is intrinsically harmful to children. It is a damning indictment showing that keeping children detained is tantamount to abuse."

She added that the only conclusion that can be drawn from reading the report is the end of detention for children.