Written question asked by Baroness Teather (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 19 March 2015, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 23 March 2015. It was answered by James Brokenshire (Conservative) on Tuesday, 24 March 2015 on behalf of the Home Office.

Immigration Removal Centres: Internet

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will take steps to ensure that people held in immigration removal centres have access to the websites of organisations that provide advice and support services for those people.

Answer: The provision of internet access in immigration removal centres helps detainees to remain in contact with family, friends and legal representatives and to prepare for removal. It is a contractual requirement that all immigration removal centres provide detainees with reasonable and regulated access to the
internet and IT facilities. It is important that detainees can access legitimate websites including news, education, employment and legal sites, and we are taking steps to standardise internet access across the detention estate. This includes consultation with the voluntary sector on website access and the development of a new Detention Services Order to set out requirements for access and monitoring.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 228448
Session: 2014-15
Subjects: Detainees Advisory services Migrants Internet Immigration removal centres
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk