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Date submitted

17 July 2026

Submitted by

Interested party

I am writing to formally register my strongest objection to the proposed expansion of the Campsfield House Immigration Removal Centre (Application Reference: CROWN/2026/0000004). I am a former detainee who was held inside Campsfield House IRC for two and a half months, from ████████████████████████. I am exposing the severe institutional failures, negligence, and human rights abuses I witnessed and experienced first-hand, which prove this centre is unfit to operate, let alone expand: 1. Inhumane Treatment and Torture: During my stay, I was placed in the separation unit (block) where I was subjected to psychological and physical torture. Staff intentionally activated the water sprinkler system in my room, leaving me drenched under water for long hours. 2. Denial of Critical Medication: While being subjected to the water abuse in the block, staff withheld my life-critical medications, directly endangering my life and physical safety. 3. Severe Medical Negligence: Healthcare inside the facility is practically non-existent. I spent months waiting just to see an optician, with management completely ignoring the residents' healthcare needs. 4. Substandard Food and Retaliation: The center regularly served leftover food from the previous day instead of fresh meals. Furthermore, when I spoke up and told staff that the food was unacceptable, they retaliated by logging me into 'Part C' as being "rude". There is absolutely no real communication with the staff or management. 5. Untrained, Hostile, and Provocative Staff: The staff lack basic training and professional knowledge. Whenever a resident made a request, the management's standard response was simply "I don't know." Furthermore, the guards were actively provocative, hostile, and showed zero regard for safety. 6. Closure of Basic Services: Almost all facilities were shut down during my two and a half months there. Essential services like the gym and the IT room were rarely open, and when they did open, it was never on time. 7. Isolation and Communication Failures: The video link systems used for legal and social visits were broken and did not function, systematically isolating detainees from legal representation and families. 8. Loss of Personal Property: My personal belongings were lost/stolen within the centre due to reckless management. 9. Suppression and Falsification of Complaints: The internal complaints system is a sham. Formal complaints submitted by detainees were completely ignored, unread, and dismissed, while valid verbal feedback regarding conditions was weaponized against us in official logs. An institution that operates with zero security, untrained staff, and systematically violates the basic human rights of individuals under its care must not be expanded. It must be permanently shut down.