Yarl's Wood immigration removal centre
About the centre
Yarl's Wood is an immigration removal centre run under Detention Centre Rules (2001). The centre is situated on the outskirts of Clapham, Bedfordshire and was originally opened in November 2001. In February 2002 half of the building was damaged by fire - the undamaged half was re-opened in September 2003.
Address and contact information
Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre
Twinwoods Road
Clapham
Bedfordshire
MK41 6HL
Main switchboard: 01234 821000.
Fax numbers
Centre: 01234 821096
UKBA: 01234 271349
Yarl's Wood is situated on the outskirts of Clapham, Bedfordshire and was originally opened in November 2001. In February 2002 half of the building was damaged by fire - the undamaged half was re-opened in September 2003. In December 2006, the contract for operating the Centre was awarded to Serco Ltd, who took over the management, operation and maintencance of Yarl's Wood in April 2007. Yarl's Wood has become the main removal centre for women and families.
Reception times
Detainee reception operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
UKBA contact
The UKBA manager at the centre is Sarah Edwards.
Contractor information
The centre is run by Serco Home Affairs.
http://www.serco.com/markets/homeaffairs/index.asp
Contract director: Victoria Colloby
Bed spaces
Bed space totals 405 and is divided as follows: 284 single female bed space; 121 family bed spaces. All rooms are twin-bedded and interconnected in pairs to allow families to be located together.
Facilities
- There is an on-site dedicated healthcare centre with a small in-patient facility.
- The healthcare team accessed by residents is made up of
- GPs,
- General nurses,
- Mental health nurses,
- Health visitors,
- Midwives,
- Dentists,
- Counsellors and allied Health care professionals and Consultants who attend the centre where there is an identified need.
Education is provided for school-age children on weekdays in two separate classes; one for children aged between 5 and 11 and one for children aged 11 to 16. There is a nursery for children under five.
- The centre also has a well stocked library which is managed by a full time chartered librarian. Activities for adult detainees include team sports such as badminton and volleyball in the sports hall; cardio-vascular fitness routines in a well-equipped gym and exercise to music. Supervised arts and crafts sessions are held each weekday morning and afternoon. The chance to develop ICT skills in dedicated computer rooms is also available.
Other facilities include hair salons; youth club and cinemas. Opportunities are available for paid work.
Directions
By car - M1 Northbound as far as J13. Then follow signs to Bedford on the A421 and take the A6 through Bedford (signposted towards Kettering). As you leave Bedford you pass a large Sainsbury Store on your left. Stay on the A6 through the village of Clapham (Do not take the by-pass) and turn right at the roundabout signposted to Yarl's Wood IRC.
M1 Southbound as far as J19 then take the A14 signposted Kettering/Felixstowe. Continue on the A14 for approximately 25 miles to Junction 10, signposted Bedford A6. Exit the A14 at Junction 10. Follow A6 through Burton Latimer. Proceed across the A45 roundabout. Continue along the A6 towards Bedford, through the village of Milton Ernest, then take the left hand turn towards Clapham (just before the start of the by-pass). On entering Clapham you come to a roundabout, take the left hand turn, (Twinwoods Road). Follow this road for approximately 2 miles to Yarl?s Wood.
Train - First Capital Connect or East Midlands Trains from St Pancras International to Bedford station. Journey time: approximately 1 hour on First Capital Connect or 37 minutes on East Midlands Trains. Taxi Service from Bedford Station to Yarl?s Wood will take approximately 15-20 minutes.
A Yarl's Wood bus service is available at the following times: Bedford station to Yarl's Wood IRC 1330; 1530; 1725; 1930 2120 and Yarl's Wood to Bedford station: 1315; 1515; 1700; 1915; 2105.
Visitor's information
Social visits
Visitors attending the centre will need to book 24 hours in advance and provide photographic ID (such as a passport or driving licence) and a utility bill on arrival. Visitors will be subject to search procedures and fingerprinting. They will also have their photograph taken. Food and drink is not permissible in the visits hall. Automated snacks and drinks machines are available.
Visits booking number: 01234 821000
Fax number: 01234 821096
Legal visits: 01234 821000
Official visits: 01234 821000
Other information
Detention services now operate a policy which restricts the amount of baggage detainees can have in the centre.