Why Visit People in Detention

A major reason for visiting people in detention is to show solidarity with people detained and that we are committed to an end of detention. Through visiting, we bear witness to the system and raise awareness of it's injustices, connecting with the wider movement against detention. Visiting is also an important way to alleviate the immediate suffering of people in detention.

Detention makes people feel lonely, distressed, anxious and negatively impacts their sense of self worth.

People are usually detained miles away from their home and communities, making it very difficult for family members to visit. Travel costs are expensive, thus forcing family members and friends to weigh the options of visiting against other needs such as possible legal costs. Family members may be in the same position of limbo as the person in detention, leaving them with no possibility of visiting, as they will be unable to fulfil the legal ID checks. All of this results in additional frustration and isolation for people in detention.

The emotional and practical support provided through visiting is immeasurable. Having a visitor can make a real difference in the life of someone in detention, providing them with support and hope. It is a source of comfort for someone at a moment of extreme vulnerability in their life.

Volunteer visitors have told us too that visiting has broadened their skills and knowledge about the UK immigration system, enabled them to learn from other cultures, and helped them better understand the various reasons why people seek sanctuary in the UK. Through visiting, they are empowered to have honest conversations within their communities and amongst friends and families about the experiences of those affected by this system.

Visiting is a significant commitment that requires patience and compassion. The journey times to removal centres and prisons are often long, and registration and entry to centres can be frustrating and time-consuming too. The meeting can be difficult as the person you visit may not speak the same language as you, their experiences may have been tortuous or complicated, and they may not wish to talk about them. If they do decide to share their personal story, you may hear things that will shock or upset you, and the person who you visit may be feeling ill, anxious, or depressed.

At the same time, visitors often express humility in the face of the bravery and resilience demonstrated by people who they visit.

I suppose we don’t often think about things in this way, but if you’ve got good friends and think about what they mean to you, and then say if you meet a refugee, you realise that you’re meeting a very remarkable person, who’s coped with things that would absolutely frighten me.

Jim, Visitor, Taken from AVID's Hidden Stories

Long term visiting is a commitment. The injustices of detention can be difficult to bear witness to, and feelings of frustration and impotence at being unable to help can lead to visitors burning out. It is important to look after your own wellbeing in this context and we discuss this later in this chapter.

However, we cannot emphasise enough the huge difference your visit can make to someone else’s life and your own too.