Thousands of person seeking/refused asylum/overstayers/persons 'Sans Papiers' are currently being kept in immigration prisons (AKA Immigration Removal Centres) throughout the UK. They haven't committed a crime, but they can be imprisoned indefinitely. Many of the people detained have experienced torture, and their trauma is exacerbated by being detained. Seven of the IRCs are operated for profit by private companies.

36 people have been in immigration detention for more than two years, 72 more than 18 months, 128 more than one year.