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Written question asked by Mark Hoban (Conservative) on Tuesday, 6 February 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 8 February 2007. It was answered by Liam Byrne (Labour) on Wednesday, 28 February 2007 on behalf of the Home Office.

Foreigners: Custodial Treatment

Question
(2) whether illegal immigrants who have not been convicted of a crime in the UK are held in prisons in England and Wales;
Answer

The routine use of prisons to hold immigration detainees ended in January 2002. However, it was made clear that there would continue to be a need to hold small numbers of individual detainees in prison for reasons of security and control. That remains the case and may apply to both failed asylum seekers and other immigration offenders. In addition, individual foreign nationals who have been convicted for criminal offences in the United Kingdom may be held in prison accommodation pending deportation or transfer to the immigration detention estate on release from their prison sentences. No specific guidance has been issued but the Home Secretary has instructed the Immigration and Nationality Directorate to work closely with the National Offender Management Service and HM Prison Service.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
120398; 457 c1359W;457 c1342-3W
Session
2006-07
Subjects
Undocumented migrants Prisoners Prisons
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk