Immigration removal/detention centres

What are immigration removal/detention centres?

Immigration removal centres are holding centres for foreign nationals awaiting decisions on their asylum claims or awaiting deportation following a failed application.

Previously known as 'detention centres', the name was formally changed to 'removal centres' under the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 to "reflect the part played by detention in the removal of failed asylum-seekers and others".

Background

The power to detain immigrants was first provided by the Immigration Act 1971, which allowed the detention of asylum seekers in detention centres or even prisons.

Prior to 2002 there were two types of detention centre: the removal centre and the removal prison. These were much like prison facilities, with the aim being to impose restrictions on the movement of the detainees, so that the government could monitor their whereabouts whilst their claims were being processed. Indeed some were actually held in prisons.

The detention of asylum seekers in such austere conditions was widely condemned by human rights groups, politicians, and many others who insisted that they should not be treated in the same way as ordinary criminals.

By 2001 the number of asylum seekers had reached an all-time high and the government embarked on a programme to provide a network of detention centres with the aim of moving towards a situation where no asylum seeker would be held in a prison.

In addition, the 'Detention Centre Rules 2001' were introduced which stipulated the way in which the centres were to be run, ensuring humane treatment of all detainees.

There are currently (2010) 11 removal centres in the UK. Eight are run by private companies contracted to the Home Office UK Border Agency and three by HM Prison Service. All are run according to the Detention Centre Rules and every detained person is provided with a document, known as a 'compact', outlining their rights and responsibilities under the rules, and information about life in the centre.

The Detention Centre Rules cover such things as Welfare and Privileges. For example, a detainee's entitlement to visits from family members, agencies and legal representatives; the provision of wholesome and nutritious food and suitable clothing; time in the open air; recreational and educational activities; facilities for the practice of diverse religions; and access to healthcare.

The rules also cover General Security and Safety and state that this is to be maintained, "but with no more restriction than is required for safe custody and well ordered community life."

Controversies

The increased use of detention came about in response to public concern about the government's ability to handle the rising numbers of applications for asylum since the late 1990s.

The use of detention is controversial because opponents argue it is wrong to imprison or restrict the movements of people who have committed no crime, and in many cases, people who have come to the UK to escape persecution. Those detained and their advocates have frequently complained about the conditions inside detention centres and the treatment of detainees by staff.

In February 2002, violence broke out at the Yarl's Wood centre in Bedfordshire. It was alleged that the violence erupted because the firm running the facility, Group 4, refused medical treatment to a detainee, but this is denied by the company. The rioting resulted in a break-out and a fire that destroyed half of the £100 million centre. It was subsequently revealed that none of the UK's removal centres had sprinklers for putting out fires.

There has also been publicity about overcrowding and poor conditions in detention centres. In 2006 chief inspector of prisons Anne Owers said inefficient and inhumane centres treated immigrants like "parcels". Her comments did not improve a year later, noting concerns about access to key services remained. She said immigrants were spending "unacceptably long periods" locked in single rooms at Colnbrook centre near Heathrow airport.

More bad publicity for the government followed in August 2007, when 26 asylum seekers escaped from a centre near Oxford.

"The problem we have is these people feel they are treated like criminals when their crimes are simply fleeing their own country for whatever reason," Iman Sajid from the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants said.

A particularly controversial and emotive topic is the detention of children in immigration removal centres. Following an unannounced visit to Yarl's Wood centre by Dame Anne Owers, a subsequent report published in March 2010 concluded that many children were being held unnecessarily, often for long periods of time, and that this was having a noticeable adverse effect on the children's well-being, causing "disruption and distress" to them and their families.

The detention of children in Dungavel IRC was halted in May 2010 following pressure from many groups in Scotland. But as detained families will now be transferred to Yarl's Wood centre, critics say this is merely moving the problem elsewhere.

However, the government has pledged to end the detention of children for immigration purposes and the UK Border Agency is carrying out a review to run for six weeks from 1st June 2010, working with a range of experts and organisations, to determine how the detention of children will be ended.

Statistics

There are currently 11 immigration removal centres (IRCs) in the UK:

Brook House, near Gatwick Airport. Opened March 2009. Contractors - G4S Group. Relatively short-term accommodation for 426 male detainees.

Campsfield House, Kidlington, Oxon. Opened 1993. Contractors - GEO Group. Long-term accommodation for 216 male detainees.

Colnbrook, near Heathrow Airport. Opened August 2004. Contractors - Serco. Short-term holding facility for 308 males and females.

Dover, Western Heights, port of Dover. Previously a young offenders' institution; re-designated IRC April 2002. Run by HM Prison Service. Accommodation for 314 male detainees.

Dungavel, Strathaven, South Lanarkshire. Previously a hunting lodge and an open prison; opened as IRC September 2001. Contractors - G4S. Accommodation for 190 people.

Harmondsworth, near Heathrow Airport. Opened 2001. Contractors - GEO Group. Long-term accommodation for 259 male detainees.

Haslar, Gosport, Hants. Formerly a naval barracks and young offenders' institution, re-opened as IRC June 1989. Run by HM Prison Service. Accommodation for 160 male detainees.

Lindholme, Hatfield Woodhouse, near Doncaster. Formerly part of RAF Lindholme; became IRC in 2000. Run by HM Prison Service. Accommodation for 112 male detainees.

Oakington, Longstanton, Cambridge. Formerly an RAF base, became IRC in 2000. There is no long-term future for the centre, but it will remain in operation until required for the proposed Northstowe development. Contractor - G4S. Accommodation for 408 male detainees.

Tinsley House, near Gatwick Airport. Opened 1996. Contractor - G4S. Accommodation for 116 males, five females and four families.

Yarl's Wood, near Clapham, Bedford. Opened November 2001. In February 2002 half of the building was damaged by fire - the undamaged half was re-opened in September 2003. Contractor - Serco. Accommodation for 284 single females and 121 family spaces.

Source: UK Border Agency, 2010

Quotes

"The purpose of detention centres shall be to provide for the secure but humane accommodation of detained persons in a relaxed regime with as much freedom of movement and association as possible, consistent with maintaining a safe and secure environment, and to encourage and assist detained persons to make the most productive use of their time, whilst respecting in particular their dignity and the right to individual expression."

From the Detention Centre Rules 2001

"It is a moral stain on this country's proud reputation in accepting refugees that we are routinely locking up children for months at a time even though they have committed no crime. Locking children up in this way can do them serious physical and psychological harm..The government must find its long lost moral compass and put an end to child detention immediately."

Liberal Democrat Chris Huhne commenting on the Liberal Democrats' Spring Conference pledge to end child detention in immigration centres - 15th March 2010