Colnbrook IRC opened in September 2004 and has a capacity of 400. It is mostly a centre for men, but includes a Short Term Holding Centre, where both women and men are held, usually for a few days. There is also a unit for women called ‘Sahara Unit’ with capacity for 27 women.
The last inspection report on Colnbrook by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) was published in 2022. The report found that Colnbrook IRC looked and felt like a prison. HMIP reported that ventilation in cells was poor and toilet screening was inadequate, while detainees were still locked into cells at times and mental health support was inadequate overall.
Visiting hours are 2pm-9pm daily, including weekends and public holidays.
Visitors to Colnbrook must show photo ID and proof of address (e.g. a bill or bank statement). On arrival, photographs and electronic fingerprints are taken. Visitors leave all belongings in a locker, go through a metal detector and are searched, before they are accompanied to the Visitors Room.
Address
Colnbrook IRC
Colnbrook Bypass
Longford
West Drayton
Middlesex UB7 0FX
Tel: 020 8283 3850
Fax: 020 8283 3851
Directions
Train
The nearest stations are Hatton Cross, West Drayton, Uxbridge.
Trains run regularly from London Paddington to West Drayton, and the centres are a 15 minute bus journey on U3 or 350.
Buses
West Drayton and Uxbridge to Hatch Lane. Bus U3.
Hounslow West to Longford Village. Bus 81.
Car
From M4 West: Exit junction 5. Take 3rd exit at roundabout onto A4 sign posted Colnbrook. Head towards London along A4 for approximately 3 miles. Pass over motorway and continue straight ahead at the traffic lights. After the lights take the next road on the left (after a row of houses) and Colnbrook IRC is the building on the right hand side.
From M4 East: Exit junction 4A onto M4 spur road towards Heathrow Terminals 1, 2 & 3. At ‘Concorde’ roundabout take 2nd exit towards Slough onto the A4. Travel for approximately 1 mile, until you reach a set of traffic lights, turn right at the lights and continue until you reach a roundabout. At the roundabout turn right to come back down the road you travelled and at the lights turn right to bring you back on the A4. After the lights take the next road on the left (after a row of houses), and Colnbrook IRC is the building on the right hand side.
From M25: Exit junction 14 onto A3113 (Airport Way) towards Heathrow Terminal 4 and cargo. At next roundabout take 1st exit onto A3044 towards Colnbrook / Longford. At next roundabout continue straight ahead until you reach as set of traffic lights. Turn right at the lights and take the next road on the left (after a row of houses) and Colnbrook IRC is the building on the right hand side.
Limited parking is available to visitors.