Key Takeaways
• Campsfield House IRC reopened July 7, 2025, with expanded capacity of 400 detainees under Mitie management.
• Facility is UK’s first green IRC powered fully by renewable energy like solar panels and heat pumps.
• Mitie’s £227 million six-year contract covers custody, welfare services, and facility management at Campsfield.
As of July 7, 2025, Campsfield House Immigration Removal Centre (IRC) has reopened its doors in Oxfordshire, England, under the management of Mitie, a private company specializing in custodial and care services. This move marks a major shift in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧’s approach to immigration detention, reversing the closure of the facility in 2019 and signaling a renewed focus on expanding detention capacity. The reopening of Campsfield House, now with a larger capacity and a new emphasis on sustainability, has sparked debate among government officials, local communities, advocacy groups, and those directly affected by immigration enforcement.
Campsfield House Reopens: Who, What, When, Where, and Why
Who: The UK Home Office owns Campsfield House, while Mitie Care & Custody operates the centre under a six-year contract. The facility will employ around 200 staff members, including Custody Officers, Educational Tutors, and Religious Affairs coordinators.
What: Campsfield House is an Immigration Removal Centre, a secure facility where people are held under immigration powers. The centre has been refurbished and expanded to accommodate up to 400 detainees, up from its previous capacity of 282.
When: The centre officially reopened on July 7, 2025, after being closed since May 2019.
Where: Campsfield House is located in Kidlington, Oxfordshire, England.
Why: The UK government has shifted its immigration policy to increase detention capacity, aiming to hold more people in detention as permitted by law. This is part of a broader strategy to modernize facilities, increase removal rates, and support immigration enforcement.
Key Features of the New Campsfield House
Increased Capacity and Modern Facilities
The newly reopened Campsfield House can now hold up to 400 detainees, making it one of the larger immigration detention centres in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧. The expansion was carried out in two phases:
- Phase 1: Refurbishment of existing buildings to create about 160 bed spaces.
- Phase 2: Construction of new accommodation blocks, increasing total capacity to 400, pending planning approval.
This phased approach allows the centre to respond flexibly to changing needs and legal requirements.
Management by Mitie
Mitie Care & Custody, a private contractor, is responsible for the day-to-day running of the centre. Their duties include:
- Custody and Detention: Ensuring detainees are securely held and managed according to Home Office rules.
- Welfare Services: Providing support for detainees’ health, education, and religious needs.
- Facilities Management: Overseeing the upkeep and safety of the centre.
Mitie’s contract is valued at approximately £227 million over six years, with an option to extend for two more years. The company has experience running other Immigration Removal Centres, such as Heathrow, and has received positive recognition for its custodial practices.
The UK’s First ‘Green’ Immigration Removal Centre
Campsfield House is being promoted as the UK’s first ‘green’ IRC. The facility is powered entirely by renewable energy sources, including solar panels and heat pumps. This reflects the government’s push for sustainability in public buildings and aims to reduce the environmental impact of immigration detention.
Background: Why Was Campsfield House Closed and Why Is It Reopening?
Closure in 2019
Campsfield House originally operated from November 1993 until its closure in May 2019. The closure was part of a broader Home Office policy to reduce the use of immigration detention, following recommendations from the Stephen Shaw independent review. The review called for fewer people to be detained and for shorter periods of detention, citing concerns about the impact on detainees’ mental health and well-being.
Policy Reversal and Expansion
In April 2022, the UK government, under then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson, announced a policy reversal. The Home Office stated its intention to “keep as many people in detention as the law allows,” leading to plans to refurbish and reopen Campsfield House. This shift was driven by concerns about illegal immigration, the need to remove people with no legal right to remain, and the desire to modernize the detention estate.
Community and Civil Society Response
Local Opposition
The reopening of Campsfield House has not been without controversy. In October 2024, Oxford City Council voted against the plans, reflecting strong local opposition. Concerns raised by councillors and residents include:
- Community Safety: Fears about the impact of a large detention centre on the local area.
- Ethics of Detention: Questions about whether immigration detention is a humane or effective policy.
Despite these objections, the Home Office moved forward, citing national priorities and the need for increased capacity.
Civil Society Criticism
Organizations such as Asylum Welcome have publicly criticized the reopening. Their main concerns include:
- Human Rights: The potential for detainees to experience harm, isolation, or mental health problems.
- Alternatives to Detention: Calls for the government to invest in community-based alternatives, which they argue are more humane and cost-effective.
These groups continue to campaign for policy changes and greater oversight of detention practices.
How Campsfield House Will Operate
Who Will Be Detained?
Campsfield House will hold a mix of:
- Time-served foreign national offenders: People who have completed prison sentences and are awaiting removal from the United Kingdom 🇬🇧.
- Immigration offenders: Individuals detained under immigration powers, often while their identity is being confirmed, to prevent them from leaving before removal, or while arrangements are made for their departure.
Security and Conditions
The centre will have robust physical security measures, including secure perimeters and controlled access. Detainees will not be allowed to leave or access the local area. The Home Office has emphasized that the centre will operate under strict rules to ensure safety and order.
Staff and Services
Mitie will employ around 200 staff members, covering a range of roles:
- Custody Officers: Responsible for the security and welfare of detainees.
- Educational Tutors: Providing learning opportunities and activities.
- Religious Affairs Coordinators: Supporting detainees’ spiritual needs.
The aim is to provide a respectful and supportive environment, even within the constraints of detention.
Government and Operator Perspectives
Home Office
The Home Office frames the reopening as necessary for effective immigration management. Key points include:
- Modernization: Upgrading facilities to meet current standards.
- Sustainability: Using renewable energy to reduce environmental impact.
- Community Engagement: Consulting with local authorities, police, fire, and health services to address concerns and ensure compliance with safety and equality standards.
Mitie
Mitie emphasizes its commitment to:
- Innovation: Introducing new practices and technologies to improve conditions.
- Best Custodial Practices: Drawing on experience from other centres to deliver high standards.
- Respectful Environments: Ensuring detainees are treated with dignity and respect.
Mitie’s previous work at other IRCs, such as Heathrow, has been recognized positively by independent inspectors.
Implications for Stakeholders
For Detainees
- Living Conditions: The refurbished centre aims to provide modern, safe, and supportive accommodation.
- Access to Services: Detainees will have access to education, health care, and religious support.
- Uncertainty: Many detainees may face long periods of uncertainty about their future, which can affect mental health.
For Local Communities
- Safety Concerns: Some residents worry about the impact of the centre on local safety and resources.
- Economic Impact: The centre provides jobs and contracts for local businesses, which can benefit the local economy.
For Advocacy Groups
- Continued Campaigning: Groups like Asylum Welcome will continue to monitor conditions and push for alternatives to detention.
- Oversight: Independent bodies will inspect the centre regularly to ensure standards are met.
For the Government
- Policy Goals: The reopening supports the government’s aim to increase removals and manage immigration more tightly.
- Political Debate: The decision is likely to remain controversial, with ongoing debate about the ethics and effectiveness of detention.
Future Outlook
Expansion Plans
The centre’s full expansion to 400 beds depends on planning approval for new accommodation blocks. If approved, this will make Campsfield House one of the largest IRCs in the country.
Monitoring and Oversight
Independent inspectors and oversight bodies will continue to monitor the centre. Their reports will be important for ensuring accountability and maintaining standards.
Policy Environment
The reopening of Campsfield House is part of a wider trend toward increasing detention capacity in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧. This approach may face ongoing challenges from local authorities, advocacy groups, and the public, especially as debates about immigration policy continue.
Practical Information and Official Resources
For those seeking more information about Campsfield House, the Home Office provides an official factsheet with up-to-date details on the centre’s redevelopment and operations. This resource is useful for detainees, families, legal representatives, and community members who want to understand how the centre works and what to expect. You can access the official Home Office Campsfield House IRC factsheet for the latest updates.
Mitie Care & Custody also offers information about its role and services on its official website, including contact details for those with questions or concerns.
Local authorities, such as Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council, provide community updates and responses regarding the centre’s impact and ongoing developments.
Conclusion: What Does the Reopening Mean for the UK’s Immigration System?
The reopening of Campsfield House Immigration Removal Centre under Mitie’s management marks a significant moment in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧’s immigration policy. With increased capacity, a focus on sustainability, and a renewed commitment to enforcement, the government aims to strengthen its ability to manage immigration and removals. However, the decision has sparked strong reactions from local communities and advocacy groups, who question the ethics and effectiveness of detention.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the future of Campsfield House will depend on ongoing oversight, community engagement, and the broader direction of UK immigration policy. For now, the centre stands as a symbol of the complex balance between enforcement, human rights, and community interests in the ever-changing landscape of immigration.
For those affected by or interested in immigration detention, staying informed through official resources and community channels is essential. Whether you are a detainee, a family member, a local resident, or an advocate, understanding the facts and knowing where to find help can make a real difference.
Learn Today
Immigration Removal Centre (IRC) → A secure UK facility where individuals are held under immigration detention powers.
Mitie → A private company specializing in custodial and care services managing Campsfield House IRC.
Detention Capacity → The number of detainees a facility can hold securely at any given time.
Renewable Energy → Energy sourced from natural processes like solar and heat pumps, reducing environmental impact.
Stephen Shaw Review → An independent report recommending reduced immigration detention to protect detainees’ wellbeing.
This Article in a Nutshell
Reopened in July 2025, Campsfield House IRC in Oxfordshire expands UK detention capacity to 400 detainees. Managed by Mitie, it emphasizes sustainability as the first ‘green’ detention centre powered by renewable energy sources, sparking debate over immigration enforcement and community impact amid policy shifts.
— By VisaVerge.com
