In January 2016, barrister Kate Lampard conducted an independent investigation of Yarl's Wood, and Serco pledged to carry out major improvements at the center. But is life actually any easier for the women imprisoned inside Yarl's Wood—and those who have escaped it?You'd be forgiven for not being able to find Yarl's Wood. The UK's most publicized IRC is discreetly hidden in an industrial estate on the picturesque suburbs of Bedford in between a pet crematorium and a Red Bull warehouse. It's only a short 40 minute train ride from London.The center itself is clinical and characterless; even the indoor flowering green plants are artificial. The clocks of the world are displayed on one wall; the UK one is motionless, forever stuck at 3.45 PM.I've worked legally, I've paid my taxes, I need asylum for my protection.
Even the waiting room is grim. It has a little prayer section with religious iconography on display, a small 'canteen' area with vending machines, and a window the size of the room which opens out onto a colorful farmyard mural on a courtyard wall, presumably to brighten the mood for child visitors. It shows a smirking cartoon sheep roaming free in the countryside."You want to block bad memories from your heart, not re-live them here," says Azoba, a 44-year-old Nigerian woman who arrived in Britain in 2013 on a work permit. She has been detained since December 10.In January 2014, Azoba was outed as an active LGBT campaigner after being filmed protesting in front of the Nigerian High Commission, London. As a result, she claimed asylum in the UK, arguing that her public political activities would make her a definite target if she was forced to return to Nigeria. Her right to asylum was denied as the Home Office ruled there was not enough evidence to prove that she is an LGBT activist. This was strongly refuted by Azoba, who has evidence of her attendance at LGBT pride events as well as televised evidence of her speaking against the Nigerian government.**Read more: Rape Was a Problem in Germany Long Before *Refugees* Arrived**
At the time of writing, the House of Lords voted in favor of ending the detention of pregnant women—a decision that was of great relief to those fighting for the rights of female detainees in Britain. A spokesperson for Women for Refugee Women, a charity that has campaigned to close IRCs, says: "We have been recommending this as part of our #SetHerFree campaign, and were pleased to see that recommendation echoed by Stephen Shaw in his January 2016 review of vulnerable detainees, which was commissioned by the Home Office."There is no mental health support in here. I have depression and since I arrived in Yarl's Wood I've been given no support.
When I asked Serco about the food provided, a spokesperson told me: "Yarl's Wood introduced new menus in December 2015 as part of a wider review of catering in our all Serco's custodial facilities. These menus have been created in conjunction with our catering supplier to ensure they are nutritious, healthy and balanced and address concerns raised around the quality and variety of the food."Detainees are provided with only the basic necessities of life: simple toiletries such as toothpaste, soap, and sanitary products. However, Monica says that the rooms at Yarl's Wood have no sanitary bins. Razors are provided on the account they are returned immediately too. "It's common for women to harm themselves in here," Azoba says.According to No Deportations, 2,597 immigrants in the UK IRCs were on suicide watch in 2015. There were 393 attempts at self-harm—that's more than one a day. "Unfortunately, self-harm does occur at Yarl's Wood," a Serco spokesperson says, "but most are of a minor nature. There have been no suicides at Yarl's Wood in recent years. The Serco team at Yarl's Wood are acutely aware of the vulnerability of the women in our care and we work hard to keep everyone safe."**Read more: Talking to the *Refugee* Women Washing Up on Greece's Shores**
"We also commission a psychological wellbeing service provided in the center, and have offered small grant funding to a number of third sector organizations which provide befriending services in the center, since we are aware that these are a valued source of support to detainees."**Read more: The Women Helping *Refugees* Survive Europe's Migration Crisis**
"It is hell on earth!" Ntombi interrupts. After fleeing sexual and physical violence in South Africa, Ntombi arrived in Britain in 2002 and was detained on August 10, 2015.Financial support for those leaving detention centers also appears to be non-existent. "I get no benefits even though I've legally worked here and paid into the system," Prudence says. "That's why I still keep my sexuality a secret. I have to rely upon the [Nigerian] community who are against it." It costs around $56,000 (£40,000) a year to hold a person in detention according to a report from Women for Refugee Women.Every time I have a meeting at the Home Office I run afterwards. I run as fast as I can, I'm frightened they'll detain me again.