It is a fundamental belief of Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons that administrative detention of children under immigration powers should be exceptional and for the shortest possible period. The conditions for and treatment of the children who experience this form of detention are therefore of great importance in the inspection process. This paper outlines the background to one of the methods the Inspectorate is beginning to use as part of its evidence gathering process. A pilot study was conducted in February 2006 at Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre, and the main aim of this paper is to provide a brief insight into the research and its implications.