About

This project explores the expansion and spread of immigration detention systems, despite evidence showing they fail to achieve their stated policy goals and cause harm. Despite these shortcomings, detention systems are growing worldwide. Why is this happening?

The project has two main aims:

1. It seeks to understand why immigration detention policies continue to be implemented and how they have spread globally.
2. It evaluates the resistance to immigration detention.

The project compares three case studies: Australia, the UK, and the US. It employs various methods, including analysis of policies, archival materials, and media coverage; interviews and focus groups with state and non-state agents of diffusion (such as policymakers, multinational companies, and international organisations), as well as actors involved in resisting detention.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact the PI, Ċetta Mainwaring on cetta.mainwaring@ed.ac.uk