Colnbrook immigration removal centre
Address and contact information
Colnbrook IRC
Colnbrook Bypass
Harmondsworth
West Drayton
Middlesex
UB7 0FX
Main telephone & fax
Tel: 020 8607 5200
Fax: 020 8607 5383
Description
Colnbrook immigration removal centre is the most secure removal centre within the UKBA estate. It has been built to category B prison standard. It is located close to London Heathrow Airport and was opened August 2004. The short term holding facility is used by UK Border Agency enforcement units to reduce reliance on police facilities and to provide a short term assessment/induction facility prior to moving to a main centre. It is used by both adult males and females.
UK Border Agency contact
Anne Dardis
Contractor information
The contract director, Victoria Colloby, has a senior management team which consists of a deputy contract director and seven assistant directors for regimes, custody, religion and culture, HR & development, security, education and compliance.
Bed spaces - 308
Reception times
24 hour access - There is no restriction on the number of moves in/out per day. All special needs cases will be referred to the duty manager by means of an IS991 Risk Assessment.
Facilities
- Healthcare - The centre has a suite of 6 individual hospital style rooms, access to GP services, access to nursing care and proactive nurse clinics, dentist, optician, chiropody, psychiatric services and a substance misuse programme.
- Education - There are a range of classrooms for multiple use, Colnbrook operates a detainee transferable skills program to assist detainees learn new skills for future life after Colnbrook.
- Religious facilities - Muslim prayer room, multi faith room.
- There is also a sports hall, gym, outdoor sports area, internet facility, and a cinema area.
Detainee property and cash
Colnbrook immigration removal centre and short term holding facility allow detainees to retain agreed levels of property in their possession which will be discussed with each detainee on arrival. The detainee will sign a statement requiring responsibility for items held in possession to be taken. If the detainee wishes to gain access to, or deposit items whilst in the centre, they may do so via an application. For items being brought to, or taken from the detainee, an additional receipt is given. Records will be continually updated to provide a running list of property.
A certain level of cash will be allowed in possession, any other cash belonging to detainees will be taken from them whilst in reception. This money will be checked and recorded in the detainee's presence. The detainee will receive a print out of their monies stored.
Visitors
Colnbrook welcomes visitors. The visiting times are from 1400 to 2100 each day. Visitors must bring with them photo identification (i.e. passport or driving licence) and a utility bill with their name and address which confirms that they live in the UK. If visitors, including solicitors, wish to speak to detainees they should contact the main switchboard on 020 8607 5200.
Visitors may take no property into the IRC. Any property, which has not been subject of prior approval, will not be accepted into the IRC. Any property permitted into the centre will be examined by x-ray and also manually searched.
Food and drink is not permissible in the visits hall. Automated snacks and drinks machines are available.
Legal visits are permitted at any time.
Other information
Detention services now operate a policy which restricts the amount of baggage detainees can have in the centre. 
Directions
From M4 West - Exit at junction 5. Take the 3rd exit at the roundabout onto the A4 sign posted Colnbrook. Head towards London along the A4 for approximately 3 miles. Pass over the motorway and continue straight ahead at the traffic lights. After the lights take the next road on the left (after a row of houses), signposted BT. Colnbrook IRC is the building on the right hand side.
From M4 East - Exit junction 4A onto M4 spur road towards Heathrow Terminals 1, 2&3. At the junction 4a roundabout take the 2nd exit onto the East Ramp. At Nene Road roundabout take the 1st exit onto Nene Road (signposted Central London, Slough, and Uxbridge). At the traffic lights, turn left onto the A4 (signposted Slough, Staines, Uxbridge, M4, M25). At the Moor Junction traffic signals turn right onto the A3044 (signposted Harmondsworth Moor, Waterside). At the roundabout turn right to return to the road you travelled down and at the lights turn right to bring you back on the A4. After the lights take the next road on the left (after a row of houses), signposted BT, and Colnbrook IRC is the building on the right hand side.
From M25 - Exit junction 14 onto A3113 (Airport Way) towards Heathrow terminal 4 and cargo. At the next roundabout take the 1st exit onto the A3044 towards Colnbrook / Longford. At the next roundabout continue straight ahead until you reach a set of traffic lights. Turn right at the lights and take the next road on the left (after a row of houses), signposted BT. Colnbrook IRC is the building on the right hand side.
Buses
West Drayton, Uxbridge to Hatch Lane (Bus U3)
Hounslow West to Longford Village (Bus 81)
The centre does not operate its own bus service.
Nearest train stations
Hatton Cross (Piccadilly line)
Uxbridge (Piccadilly or Metropolitan lines)
West Drayton (Paddington/South Wales main line train)