 |
|
Detention & Reception
UK Reception / Detention / Removal Centres:
There are at present 10 centres operating in the United Kingdom as reception and removal centres under the overall control of the Border and Immigration Agency - a dedicated wing of the Home Office (www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk). One of these centres Oakington outside of Cambridge is a reception centre, where certain people claiming asylum are sent for ‘fast-track’ processing, a period of 7-10 days during which time their initial petition for asylum is assessed. In addition approximately 400-500 immigration detainees are held in Prisons. Up to date statistics are available on the Home Office website, www.homeoffice.gov.uk, where it is also possible to view quarterly statistics showing how many immigration detainees were held in removal centres and some prisons on a specific date.
The centres are run both by Private Custodial Enterprises and by the Prison Service. The Private Custodial businesses are SERCO, GSL UK, GEO, Kalyx and Group 4 all of which have a web presence for further information to be sought.
The UK Home Office has been working towards the removal of 30,000 asylum seekers per year, of whom most will have passed through a reception or detention centre. Some of those in removal centres are in the process of Judicial Review of their Asylum claims. As such, detention rights activists are concerned that their detention for removal purposes is of doubtful legality. The work of removal centres is fraught with political and judicial dispute - but it is without doubt the main enforcement arm of the Government for ensuring that those who do not gain recognition as legitimate entrants return to their countries of origin.
back to top
In detention are:
* Asylum seekers whose initial asylum claim has been refused
* Overstayers whose study, work or visitors visas have lapsed, and who have been asked to leave the country
* Illegal entrants many of whom have been trafficked into Britain with false passports in search of work in a variety of sectors - including the sex trade and illicit drug transportation.
* Those convicted of criminal offences whom the court and/or Home Office have decided it would be "not conducive to the public good" to have them remain in the country
The average time spent in detention is said by the Immigration Service to be a little over two months. In collating their statistics they do not count those detained for less than 48 hours. Because of the way the Home Office keeps statistics on detention, It is difficult to get a clear picture of the number of those detained and the length of each individual's period of detention. However, it is not uncommon for people to be detained for over a year, and some asylum seekers have been detained for longer.
Some of those in detention have been working and living in Britain for over 5 years, with a house, work colleagues and family to put in order before leaving the country under duress.
The UK detains more asylum seekers for longer and with less judicial supervision than any other West European country. Over 1,000 are detained at any one time. Those detained are held without charge or trial.
The Human Rights Act incorporates the European Convention on Human Rights. Despite this, there is no judicial oversight of detention, something that is required under the Convention's Article 5.4. Hence, detention is likely to be challenged as contrary to the Convention. The Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 does make bail provisions, but this is often not clear to those held in detention, who are often prevented from asking for bail due to a suspicion that they will abscond and not comply to the instructions for removal issued by the Immigration Authorities and the Enforcement unit set up to locate overstayers and those without satisfactory immigration documentation in the community.
There are Religious Managers and Chaplains working in every detention Centre in the United Kingdom - many of whom are in a supportive and close relationship with the befrienders and visiting groups that have been set up around these custodial centres. The Religious Manager’s role is to make certain that the right and means to appropriate religious observance by those detained be upheld by the centre operators - ministers (who have been granted Home Office clearance) of all mainstream religions are permitted access to the centres at the request of detainees in cooperation with the Religious Manager. There is also a substantial welfare remit which falls to much Chaplaincy work in the centres, and the co-operation of local churches, mosques, Gurdwaras, temples and voluntary visitors groups in this aspect of practical care and concern is extremely important.
For a list of Religious Affairs Contacts for Immigration Detention & Removal Centres please click here.
NCADC (National Coaltion of Anti-Deportation Campaigns) has produced a resource to help those considering visiting someone who has been detained. To read their guide click here.
back to top
Dungavel Removal Centre (Group 4) |
|
Dungavel nr Strathaven, South Lanarkshire, ML10 6RF
Tel: 01357 440570 Fax: 01698 395076
IS Manager: Ella Lyle
Religious Manager:
Healthcare Manager Moira Carballo
How to get there: Map
Click here for organisations concerned with Dungavel |
Colnbrook Removal Centre (SERCO) |
|
Colnbrook by Pass
Harmondsworth
West Drayton
UB7 0HB
Telephone: 0208 607 5200
Fax: 0208 759 7996
Joint Immigration Managers: Anne Dardis and Marilyn Terresfield
Religious Manager: Derek Goh
Visitor Group London Detainee Support Group
Visiting times: 14.00 - 21.00 (last admission 20.30)
How to get there: Map
Click here for organisations concerned with Colnbrook |
Lindholme Removal Centre (HM Prison Service) |
|
Bawtry Road, Hattield Woodhouse, Doncaster, DN7 6EE
Tel: 01302 524606 / 01302 524666(Visitors booking) Fax: 01302 848620
Governing Governor: M. Reed
Centre Manager: Alan Knox
Immigration Manager: Mark Churchill
Chaplain: Rev. Julian McCready
Medical Officer: not known
Visitor Group: D.A.V.I.D
Domestic visits do not have to be booked.
How to get there: Map
The centre is located off the A614 Bawtry Road.
Click here for organisations concerned with Lindholme |
Haslar Removal Centre (HM Prison Service) |
|
Dolphin Way, Gosport, PO12 2AW
Tel: 023 9258 0381 Fax: 023 9251 0226
Governor: Bob Bennett
Centre Manager: Julia Killick
Immigration Manager: Nicola Gibson
Chaplain: Rev. Nicky Startin
Medical Officer: Dr Stuart Morgan
Visitor Group: Haslar Visitors Group
Direct line to detaInees 023 9252 8604.
Visiting groups: Refugee Action Group, Detention sub-group,
c/o mcrc, 9 lower crescent, Belfast BT7 1NR
Tel: 02890 244639 Fax: 02890 329581
nathalie@mcrc.co.uk
How to get there: Map
Click here for organisations concerned with Haslar |
Dover Removal Centre (HM Prison Service) |
|
The Citadel, Western Heights, Dover CT17 9DR
Tel 01304 203848 FAX: 01304 215165
Centre Manager: Jim Carmichael
Immigration Manager: Bernadette Downey
Religious Manager: Rev Richard Higginbottom
Medical Officer: Dr N Tippu
Visitor Group: Dover Visiting Group
How to get there: Map
Click here for organisations concerned with Dover |
Tinsley House Removal Centre, Gatwick (GSL UK) |
|
Tinsley House, Perimeter Road South, Gatwick Airport, Surrey. RH6 0PQ
Tel: 01293434800 Fax: 01293 423221
Immigration manager: Gillian Foley
Religious Manager: Eric Lundberg
Medical Officer: Dr. Thomas
Visitor Group Gatwick Detainees Welfare Group
No booking of visits necessary. Hours: 2 pm -9 pm. Everyday.
For a map click on the postcode RH6 0PQ
Click here for organisations concerned with Tinsley House |
Oakington Reception Centre (Group 4) |
|
Longstanton, Cambridgeshire CB4 4EJ
Tel: 01954 783000 Fax: 01954 783091
Immigration Manager: Susan Ward
Visiting times: Daily: 1400 to 1700 and 1900 to 2100
How to get there: Map
Click here for organisations concerned with Oakington |
Yarl's Wood Removal Centre, Bedford (SERCO) |
|
Twinwood Road, Clapham, Bedfordshire MK41 6HL
Telephone for detainees 01234 821800 Fax: 01234 821 026
Immigration Manager: Marina Enwright
Chaplain:
Medical Officer: Sue Jones
Visitor Group: Yarl’s Wood Visiting Group
Domestic visits: Visits need to be booked 24hrs in advance, Booking line 01234 821167
Legal visits 9.00-12.00 and 13.30-21.00
How to get there: Map
The centre is located at the end of Twinwoods Road
Click here for organisations concerned with Yarl's Wood |
Campsfield House Removal Centre, Oxford (Group Four) |
|
Langford Lane, Kidlington OX5 1RE
Tel: 01865 377712 Fax: 01865 377723
Immigration Manager: Helen Morgan
Religious Manager:
Medical Officer: Ruth Gould
Visitor Group Asylum Welcome
Booking number for visits: not known Open 2-5 pm and 7-9 everyday
everyday
How to get there: Map
Click here for organisations concerned with Campsfield |
Harmondsworth Removal Centre (Kalyx) |
|
Colnbrook Bypass, Longford, W Drayton, Mddx. UB7 0HB
Tel: 020 8283 3850 Fax: 020 8283 3851
Tel calls for detainees: 020 8283 3942
Immigration Manager: Sandra Parnell
Head Chaplain: Patrick Wright
Medical Officer: Lee Barnes
Visitor Group London Detainee Support Group
No booking necessary Hours 2pm-9pm everyday
How to get there: Map
Click here for organisations concerned with Harmondsworth |
Other Prisons used as removal / detention centres
HM PRISON SERVICE Website: www.hmprisonservice.gov.uk |
|
CARDIFF RUMNEY POLICE STATION
Tel: Detention officer: 029 2077 4250
Short term holding in police cells (10 units)
CRUMLIN ROAD IMMIGRATION DETENTION UNIT (Belfast - detained men)
Belfast Complex, Landscape Terrace Crumlin Road Belfast BT14 6AE
Tel: 028 9075 8302
Fax: 028 9074 0442
DIRECT FOR DETAINEES: 028 9075 2660 VISITOR GROUP: Refugee Action Group SENIOR OFFICER: Alan Bell
HMP ALTCOURSE (Liverpool)
Higher Lane Fazakerley Liverpool L9 7LH
Tel: 0151 522 2000
Fax: 0151 522 2121
Website: www.hmprisonservice.gov.uk/prisoninformation/locateaprison/prison.asp?id=225,15,2,15,225,0
VISITOR GROUP: Walton Visitors Group. OPERATOR: GSL Ltd
HMP LIVERPOOL
HMP Liverpool 68 Hornby Road, Liverpool L9 3DF
Tel: 0151 530 4000
Fax: 0151 530 4001
Website: www.hmprisonservice.gov.uk/prisoninformation/locateaprison/prison.asp?id=600,15,2,15,600,0
HYDEBANK WOOD YOUNG OFFENDER CENTRE (Belfast - detained women)
Hydebank Wood Hospital Road Belfast BT8 8NA
Tel: 028 9025 3666
Fax: 028 9025 3668
Website: www.niprisonservice.gov.uk/yoc.htm
CONTACT: Sheila Weir
VISITOR GROUP: Refugee Action Group |
back to top
Organisations to contact:
There are a range of organisations involved in care, support, legal advice, visiting, letter writing, political lobbying and educational activities in response to the presence of removal and reception centres in the country. We list some of these below and invite you to make contact where appropriate with the contact person designated, or find out more through their web sites:
Campsfield House Removal Centre, Oxford (Group Four) |
|
Asylum Welcome
276a Cowley Road, Oxford, OX4 1UR
Tel: 01865 722082 Fax: 01865 792532
Email: asylum-welcome@supanet.com
Website: http://www.asylum-welcome.supanet.com/
If you are a detainee needing support, phone 01865 722082 or send a fax to 01865 792532. You should be able to do this for free from Campsfield. You can talk with somebody at the office any weekday except Thursday, at other times please leave a message giving your name and room number, or send us a fax. If you have access to e-mail, contact us at asylumwelcomevisiting@hotmail.co.uk |
Dover Removal Centre |
|
Dover Detainees Visitor Group
PO Box 294, Dover, Kent, CT17 9GY
Tel: 01304 242755
Email: ddvg@btinternet.com
Website: http://www.ddvg.org.uk/ |
Dungavel Removal Centre (Premier Detention Services) |
|
Scottish Detainees Visitors Group
c/o Scottish Refugee Council, 5 Cadogan Square, (170 Blythswood Court), Blythswood, Cadogan Street, Glasgow. G2 7PH (Weds & Fri am.)
Tel: 01412 489799
Fax: 01412 432499
Email: info@sdv.org.uk
Website: www.sdv.org.uk/ |
Guildford Refugee Action Network |
|
Guildford Refugee Action Network
c/o The Administrator, Department of Social Responsibility, Diocesan House, Quarry Street, Guildford GU1 3XG
Tel: 01483 790324
Fax: 01483 790333
Email: dsr.administrator@cofeguildford.org.uk |
Harmondsworth Removal Centre (UK Detention Services) / Colnbrook Removal Centre |
|
London Detainee Support Group
3R Leroy House, 436 Essex Road, London N1 3QP
Tel: 020 7226 3114
Fax: 020 7226 3016
Email: info@ldsg.org.uk / jerome@ldsg.org.uk
Website: www.ldsg.org.uk
FREEPHONE for Harmondsworth detainees ONLY: 0800 587 2096
LDSG aims to improve the welfare of immigration detainees, primarily those held at Harmondsworth and Colnbrook Immigration Removal Centres near Heathrow Airport in London. |
Haslar Removal Centre (Prison Service) |
|
Haslar Visitors Group
All Saints Centre, Commercial Road, Portsmouth PO1 4BT
Tel: 023 9283 9222
Fax: 023 9283 9444
Email: coordinator@haslarvisitors.org.uk
Web: www.haslarvisitors.org.uk
Haslar is an ex-prison, near Portsmouth, housing Asylum Seekers and Immigration Detainees. The group, a registered charity, visits men without local family or friends. The Visitors Group was founded in 1994 and was registered as a charity in January 2000. Although many members were originally from the churches the organisation itself is secular and there are now visitors from all backgrounds. Of the 60+ members, men and women, about 40 are visiting at any one time. They range in age from students to the retired. |
Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) |
Jesuit Refugee Service
6 Melior Street, London, SE1 3QP
Tel: 020 7357 0974
Fax: 020 7378 1985
Email: uk@jrs.net
Web: www.jrs.net |
Kent Refugee Action Network |
Kent Refugee Action Network
Whitecliff House, Poulton Close, DOVER, CT17 0HL
Tel: 01304 201131
Fax: 01304 201131
Email: office@kran.org.uk
Website: www.kran.org.uk |
Lincoln Prison |
Lincoln Prison Visiting Group
Corner House, 1 Meeting House Lane. Brant, Broughton, Lincoln, LN5 0SH
Tel: 01522 546019 |
Lindholme Removal Centre (Prison Service) |
DAVID - Doncaster Association of Visitors to Immigration Detainees
50 Leeds Road Selby YO8 4HX
Tel: 01757 706040 and 01302 782928
Email: shplatt@freeuk.com
Alternative email: cftsplatt@yahoo.co.uk |
Liverpool Prison (Walton) and HMP Altcourse, Liverpool |
Walton Visitors Group
Woolman House, 116 Upper Warwick Street, Liverpool, L8 8HE
Tel: 0151 709 7284
Email: susan_fitch@connectfreeco.uk |
Maghaberry Prison (Belfast) |
|
Refugee Action Group, Detention Visiting Group
c /o MCRC, 9 Lower Crescent, Belfast BT7 1NR
Tel: 028 9024 4639
Fax: 028 9032 9581
Email: refugee@mcrc-ni.org / nathalie@mcrc.co.uk
Website: www.mcrc-ni.org/RAG/RAG%20home.htm |
Manchester Airport Holding Centre |
MIDST - Manchester Immigration Detainee Support Team
Christopher Lukey, 25 Crouchley Lane, Lymm WA13 0AS
Tel: 01925 758418
Email: chrisandjudithlukey@tiscali.co.uk |
Norwich Prison |
St. John's Justice & Peace Group
3 Cardiff Road, Norwich, NR2 3HR
Tel: 01603 611035 |
Oakington Reception Centre (Group 4) |
|
Cambridge Oakington Concern (CAMOAK)
8 Geldart Street, Cambridge, CB1 2LX
Tel: 01223 314655
Email: camoak.org@virgin.net
Website: http://freespace.virgin.net/camoak.org/
Raising questions about the use of Oakington Barracks as a detention centre. Campaigning for safeguards for detainees
Cambridgeshire Against Refugee Detention
c/o CUSU 11-12 Trumpington Street Cambridge CB2 1QA
Tel: 01223 700646 or 07931 855888
Email: card@closeoakington.com
Cambridgeshire Against Refugee Detention (CARD) was formed in 1999 to campaign against the imprisonment of refugees, particularly at Oakington detention centre outside Cambridge.
Oakington Friends Visiting Group
7 Mill Road, Oakington, CB4 5AQ
Tel: 01223 843544
Email: jillian@quodlibet.demon.co.uk |
Tinsley House Removal Centre, Gatwick (Wakenhut) |
|
Gatwick Detainees Welfare Group
225 Three Bridges Road, Crawley, W Sussex RH10 1LG
Tel: 01293 434350
Fax: 01293 434351
Email info@gdwg.org.uk
Website: www.gdwg.org.uk
Freephone for detainees only: 0800 389 4367
The Gatwick Detainees Welfare Group was set up in 1995 when the UK Immigration Service began to detain people at a small holding centre near Gatwick Airport. The following year, Tinsley House Detention Centre was built, and we became a registered charity. GDWG has now grown to over 70 volunteers, who visit and befriend asylum seekers and immigration detainees at Tinsley House. The group believes that each detainee has a right to be treated with respect and compassion, whatever the outcome of their case. |
Wandsworth Prison |
|
Wandsworth Detainee Visiting Group
3 Upper Tooting Park, London, SW17 7SN
Tel: 020 8672 2887 |
Winchester Prison |
|
SOUTHAMPTON AND WINCHESTER VISITORS GROUP
8 Dean Close, Winchester SO22 5LP
Tel: 01962 864099
Fax: 01962 852603
Email: dvinell@cix.co.uk
Used to visit in Winchester but now mainly a support group in Winchester and Southampton
|
Yarl's Wood Removal Centre, Bedford (Group Four) |
|
Yarl's Wood Befrienders
Rosebank, 57, High St, Riseley, Beds MK44 10DT
Tel: 07789 520640
Email: admin@ywbefrienders.org
Website: http://www.ywbefrienders.org/
Yarl’s Wood Befrienders started when the UK Immigration Service began to detain people at Yarl’s Wood in Clapham, North Bedfordshire. We are now a registered charity. YWB has now grown to over 60 volunteers, who visit and befriend asylum seekers and immigration detainees. The group believes that each detainee has a right to be treated with respect and compassion. Yarl’s Wood Befrienders has concentrated on developing a detainee visiting scheme, which meets the social, emotional and spiritual needs of the broad range of detainees held at Yarl’s Wood IRC.
Stop Arbitrary Detention at Yarl’s Wood (SADY)
PO Box 304, Bedford, MK42 9WX
Tel: 07786 517379
Email: sady_campaign@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.stoparbitrarydetentionsatyarlswood.co.uk
To campaign to end arbitrary / unlawful detentions per se on a generic level |
The Zimbabwe Association |
|
The Zimbabwe Association
Development House
56-64 Leonard Street, London, EC2A 4JX
Tel: 020 7549 0355 Fax: 020 7549 0356
Email: zimbabweassociation@yahoo.co.uk
Visit Zimbabwean detainees in the UK. |
Other groups |
|
Lewes Prison Visiting Group
32 Montacute Road, Lewes BN7 1EN
Tel: 01273 473419
Email: helenlewes@onetel.co.uk
PRAXIS - VAMOS JUNTOS (Latin Americans)
Pott Street, London E2 OEF
Tel: 020 7729 7985
Fax: 020 7729 0134
Email: admin@praxis.org.uk
Website: www.praxis.org.uk
BEFRIENDING service for Spanish speaking inmates detained in British prisons and detention centres. NEWSLETTER: quarterly newsletter sent to inmates together with some music tapes and Latin American newspapers produced in London. |
Supporting and Advisory Associations:
Associations which support visitors groups and advise on Bail and legal issues which confront those in Detention are as follows:
• AVID (Association of Visitors to Immigration Detainees)
Helen Ireland
P.O.Box 7, Oxted, Surrey RH8 OYT
Website: www.aviddetention.org.uk
AVID is the national umbrella charity for groups visiting immigration detainees. The AVID website contains information on detention, along with immigration addresses, an AVID handbook, NASS information and pages on health, campaigning, the international context and legal issues.
• Asylum Welcome
Email: asylum-welcome@supanet.com
Organisation summary: To relieve poverty, sickness and distress and to advance the education of asylum seekers and refugees and those who have been detained by the immigration authorities … with particular reference to those living in Oxford area or detained at Campsfield House.
• Bail for Immigration Detainees
Website: www.biduk.org
Organisation summary: Bail for Immigration Detainees (BID) works with asylum seekers and migrants detained under UK Immigation Act powers, in removal centres and prisons. BID prepares and presents applications for bail to the immigration court and provides advice and information to detainees about how they can challenge their detention and obtain release. BID also conducts campaigning, policy and research work.
• Jesuit Refugee Service UK
6 Melior Street, London, SE1 3QP
Tel: 020 7357 0974
Email: uk@jrs.net
Website: www.jrsuk.net
Our main focus is our work with asylum seekers in detention through visits, phone calls and letters. We produce news sheets to keep them in touch with events in their own country. This lessens their sense of isolation and may strengthen their claims for asylum. When they are released we keep in touch with them and offer practical support. We also undertake advocacy work and campaigning on behalf of asylum seekers in the UK - a new part of this work is lobbying at an EU level.
• Churches’ Commission for Racial Justice
CHURCHES TOGETHER IN BRITAIN AND IRELAND
Inter Church House, 35-41 Lower Marsh, London SE1 7SA
Tel: 0207 523 2121 Fax: 0207 928 0010
• Bail Circle
28 Commercial Street, London E1 6LS
Tel/Fax: 0207 377 9356
(funded by CTBI CCRJ)
Email: Open-sesame@lineone.net
Opportunities for people to help those in detention to be released on bail with reporting procedures to a local police station. Adjudication procedures in place - guidance on how to establish a local bail community in your area, and support those in removal centres.
• Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England & Wales
Office for Refugee Policy, 39 Eccleston Square, London SW1V 1BX
Tel: 0207 834 0522
Fax: 0207 630 5166
• Bail for Immigration Detainees (BID)
28 Commercial Street, London E1 6LS
Tel: 0207 247 3590
Fax: 0207 247 3550
Website: www.biduk.org
back to top
Back
|
|
