About the campaign
OutCry! - The campaign to end immigration detention of children
'Thirteen years of age. Woken up and handcuffed. Confused. Thrown into a caged van and driven to a detention centre surrounded by barbed wire. Frightened. Locked up without having committed a crime - in the heart of the English countryside.'
Every year, the UK immigration system locks up 1,000 children. They have often fled countries where they experienced violence, war and discrimination. The children have committed no crime and are hidden from society. The effects are terrible. Many experience depression, weight-loss, bed-wetting and even self-harm.
It shouldn’t be like this.
The Children’s Society and Bail for Immigration Detainees have joined forces and through the OutCry! campaign, we demand an end to this inhumane government policy.
It costs over £800 a week to hold a child in detention and we regularly work with children detained for over six weeks. The government believes that families run away from the authorities if they are not detained.
There is simply no evidence for this. As anyone with children will know, their education and health needs, friendship ties and desire for stability all prevent families from disappearing.
Alternatives to detention are available. They are cheaper and are successfully used in other countries. We want to live in a more humane and compassionate society. We believe locking up children is immoral and unacceptable. Do you?
Children in detention: 'it is like a prison'
Read the words and stories of children and families who have experienced immigration detention.
Why stop the immigration detention of children?
Why stop the immigration detention of children? Find out why here.
Who we are
OutCry! is a partnership between Bail for Immigration Detainees (BID) and The Children's Society, funded by The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund.
Our direct work with children and families in detention
Read more about BID and The Children's Society's direct work supporting children and families in detention.
What others say about the immigration detention of children
The OutCry! campaign is by no means alone in calling for the end of immigration detention of children. Read the views of others who have criticised the Government's policy...
OutCry! news & events
Have a look at recent OutCry! events, press releases, articles in the media, research publications and newsletters.
Contact OutCry!
On this page you'll find contact details for OutCry!, including for general enquiries, for support or referrals, and for media enquiries.
