An inquest jury has determined that a series of shortcomings at a UK immigration detention center played a significant role in the tragic demise of Frank Ospina, a Colombian national who committed suic!de in 2023.
The jury’s conclusions reveal that the facility’s failure to address opportunities missed and provide adequate care exacerbated Ospina’s mental health crisis, culminating in his de@th.
The coroner, Lydia Brown, conveyed her profound regret, remarking that Ospina’s experience was “perceived as a failure of the state in various aspects during his period of detention.”
Ospina, 39, arrived in the UK in 2022 to visit his mother and explore opportunities for postgraduate education. However, his visit took a tragic turn when he was arrested during an immigration raid for taking a short-term job, despite not having the legal right to work in the UK.
Detained at Harmondsworth, Ospina’s mental health deteriorated, and on March 26, 2023, he was found dead, having strangled himself.
The investigation by the jury revealed a significant oversight by the medical staff in failing to submit a “rule 35.2 report.” This report is mandatory when a detainee is at risk of self-harm or suic!de.
If the report had been filed, Ospina’s case could have been reviewed, potentially resulting in his release.
His family said Ospina had expressed his willingness to leave the UK voluntarily and had pleaded for help, both to his family and detention staff.
His brother-in-law, Julian Llano, shared the heartbreaking story of Ospina’s plea for help, describing his mental state as “very bad.”
The jury also criticized the separation of Ospina from his mother during visits, which involved a glass wall. They described the arrangement as “inappropriate and unnecessary,” adding that it contributed to his declining mental health.
The staff at Harmondsworth Detention Center were also found to have made inadequate checks that evening, failing to notice Ospina’s absence from his bed. It was only later discovered that he had taken his own life.
In response, the Home Office issued condolences to Ospina’s family and stated that measures have been taken to enhance conditions within detention facilities, including increased staffing and more advanced training.
The management company Mitie, which runs Harmondsworth, admitted that placing Ospina’s family in a closed room for visits was wrong and has apologized.
“The physical and mental wellbeing of those in our care is of the utmost importance to us.
“We accept that the decision to place Mr Ospina’s family in a closed room for their visit was wrong and not in accordance with our policies and procedures, and we have apologised for this.
“A number of measures have already been implemented and we will continue working with the Home Office and Practice Plus Group to address the matters raised by the Coroner.” A spokesperson for Mitie stated.
Ospina’s case has once again raised questions about the treatment of individuals held in immigration detention centers. Despite ongoing efforts to improve conditions in light of previous scandals, many issues persist, and the facilities are increasingly overburdened due to the government’s push to deport more individuals deemed failures in their asylum claims.
A spokesperson from the home office stated, “We offer our sincere condolences to Mr Ospina’s loved ones, and since his death in 2023 a number of actions have been taken to improve the safeguards for individuals in detention, including an increase in staffing numbers, training and guidance for staff.
“The new government is focused on ensuring actions are taken to improve conditions in detention facilities, including reviewing the current process for communicating risk and vulnerability of detained individuals.
“We will carefully consider the coroner’s recommendations.”
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