They Play Mind Games

You see, friends, inside detention there is a very heavy atmosphere which consumes you… and it might be unknown to you in the first few days. For example, the times that they open and close the cell doors, the atmosphere, the stress that you have because of all that you have endured, and all the effort that it has taken you to get there are all very crucial points.

I was in detention for around 28 days. The Home Office officers caused many problems for me; they played mind games with me. I was in detention in Gatwick near the airport, so whenever the airplanes would lift off and land, I could hear it. I would get very stressed out because I didn’t have very long. They could issue me a ticket to be removed at any moment and many problems would naturally arise.

In my opinion, if you find yourself in detention, you must ignore everything else and just find a solicitor so they can help you with your problems. It’s only they who can help you and write to the Home Office on your behalf. As I said, they play a lot of mind games there. The people who work at the detention centre are interesting, they are often nice. But those who work for the Home Office are not… when they called me, they would speak amongst themselves, I couldn’t understand anything that was going on. I could only defend myself through my solicitor. The point here is that whether you like it or not, you will endure these mind games. But if you keep in mind how you got to this country, the difficulties you and your family have endured, I can tell you that you should be strong and fight to stay.

I hope that you will all be well one day. I hope that this has been helpful. I am sending my love. Look after yourselves. In hopes for better days in England. Take care.

- Anonymous