Inquest into Death of Epileptic Migrant at Brook House Immigration Detention Centre

Théophile Kaliviotis, a 26-year-old French national, died on October 27, 2024, while in custody at the Brook House immigration removal centre in West Sussex. An inquest at Horsham Coroner’s Court revealed that Kaliviotis had experienced a seizure and had missed his epilepsy medication on four occasions prior to his death. Additionally, he had access to the drug spice during his detention. The court heard that Kaliviotis was described as "vulnerable and mentally unwell," with concerns raised about how his detention may have exacerbated his health issues.

The Independent

Kirsten Heaven, the solicitor representing Kaliviotis's family, argued that staff at Brook House, operated by Serco for the Home Office, failed to comply with Rule 35 of the government’s detention centre guidance. This rule mandates that healthcare staff must escalate concerns to management if a detainee's health is adversely affected by their detention. Heaven contended that Kaliviotis did not receive the same level of medical care in detention as he would have in the community, emphasizing his vulnerability and potential capacity issues.

The Independent

Coroner Joseph Turner acknowledged that Kaliviotis had a seizure leading to his death, but the cause of the seizure remains unknown. Benjamin Seifert, representing the government, stated that it could not be reasonably argued that Kaliviotis's detention contributed to his death. The full inquest into the circumstances surrounding his death is scheduled for October 2026.

The Independent

Brook House is a facility with security levels comparable to a category B prison, accommodating around 500 detainees. While many individuals are held for only a few weeks, some detainees can remain in the centre for over two years. The centre is utilized for individuals whose asylum claims have been rejected, those whose claims are still under consideration, and foreign nationals who have completed prison sentences in the UK.

The Independent

The case has drawn criticism regarding the treatment of vulnerable individuals within the immigration detention system. Advocates argue that the policies in place do not adequately protect detainees with health issues, raising questions about the overall effectiveness of the adults at risk policy, which aims to balance the need for detention with the vulnerabilities of individuals.

The Independent

The upcoming full inquest in October 2026 is expected to provide further insights into the circumstances of Kaliviotis's death and the operational practices at Brook House. This case may also prompt broader discussions about the treatment of vulnerable individuals in immigration detention across the UK.

The Independent