The Government has reopened a controversial immigration detention centre near Oxford, aiming to house up to 400 male asylum seekers and foreign nationals facing removal from the UK. The Campsfield Immigration Removal Centre (IRC) in Kidlington, Oxfordshire, was brought back into operation on December 1, with the first detainees arriving on December 3.
A Facility Reopened Despite Past Concerns
The decision by the Home Office marks a significant policy reversal. Campsfield was originally closed in May 2019 following the Stephen Shaw Review, which raised serious welfare concerns. The review documented problems including riots, escapes, incidents of self-harm, and detainees losing property, leading to claims the centre was 'unfit for purpose' due to poor conditions and mismanagement.
Now, under Keir Starmer's Government, the site has been refurbished and reopened as part of a drive to tackle illegal immigration. The stated aims are to reduce the backlog of asylum cases and speed up removals. The centre will hold foreign national criminals, immigration offenders, people who arrived illegally on small boats, and failed asylum seekers.
Expansion Plans and Government Justification
The Home Office stated that Campsfield has been redeveloped to 'high security standards'. The reopening is being conducted in two phases. The first phase provides an additional 160 beds, with plans to expand capacity to 400 detention spaces later. Ultimately, the Government aims to create 1,000 more detention spaces across both Campsfield and the Haslar centre in Gosport, Hampshire.
Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Alex Norris, defended the move. 'This government has set out the most sweeping immigration reforms in modern times,' he said. 'Campsfield IRC is the first step in a major expansion of secure detention facilities, giving us the capacity to remove thousands more foreign criminals and illegal migrants quickly. This is about fairness... and delivering on our pledge to secure our borders.'
Local Opposition and Protests
The reopening has been met with fierce local opposition and protests. An Oxford Unity March was held on November 16, and further demonstrations took place this week near Oxford Airport ahead of the first detainees' arrival. Campaigners labelled the reopening a 'day of shame for Britain'.
Campaigner Don Redding told the BBC: 'It's a desperate day when the Government, against all evidence and good sense, insists on reopening it.' Ian Middleton, the Green party leader at Cherwell District Council, told the Oxford Mail that all local councillors and the MP had condemned the move, warning it would impact nearby residents and businesses and clashed with local tech park developments.
The Home Office maintains that detainees will be moved to Campsfield either directly from prison, as a short-term holding facility after illegal entry, or following enforcement action like arrests for illegal working.
