Colnbrook Immigration Removal Centre is located in Harmondsworth, London Borough of Hillingdon. Colnbrook, adjacent to Harmondsworth Immigration Removal Centre and London Heathrow Airport, houses males and females. Colnbrook, which opened in August 2004, is built to Class B prison standards, making it the highest security immigration removal centre in the United Kingdom. Colnbrook had 308 bed spaces.
The building was officially opened by Des Browne, who was then Immigration Minister, in September 2004.
The design of the centre is modelled on a high security, Category B criminal prison with wings running into a central area. Each cell is designed to hold two detainees. There is a toilet built into the cell.
The centre is operated by Serco who also operate the Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre in Bedfordshire.
Colnbrook detains people who are due for deportation from the UK due to immigration infringements, however this may include foreign-national prisoners who have completed their sentences in UK prisons and who are detained pending removal from the country.
The centre offers detainees a range of activities whilst they are waiting for deportation including a library, multi-faith worship facilities, education provision, gym and sports activities, and a shop.
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