Asylum Seekers Held in Prison

House of Lords written question – answered at on 5 February 2002.

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Photo of Lord Chan Lord Chan Crossbench

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many Zimbabwean asylum seekers are in prison in the United Kingdom; and when they are to be released; and

How many asylum seekers were being held in United Kingdom prisons on 1 January 2002; and when they were or will be moved out of prisons.

Photo of Lord Rooker Lord Rooker Minister of State (Asylum and Immigration), Home Office, Minister (Home Office) (Asylum & Immigration)

My right honourable friend the Home Secretary announced on 3 October that detainees held solely under Immigration Act powers would no longer be held in prisons by the end of January 2002. The temporary use of local prisons and the accommodation within HMP Rochester ended in mid-January. The detainees concerned were transferred to Immigration Service removal centres or to the dedicated immigration detention facilities at HMP Haslar and HMP Lindholme. The dedicated facilities at HMP Haslar and HMP Lindholme will become Immigration Service removal centres following their formal re-designation for this purpose on 8 February.

Table A
Place of detention Zimbabwean asylum seekers detained as at 30 September 2001(1)
Dedicated Immigration Service wings(2) 25
Other prison establishments(3) 20
Total persons detained in prison establishments(3) 40

(1) Figures rounded to the nearest five, and may not sum due to rounding.

(2) Persons detained at the dedicated Immigration Service wings at Haslar, Lindholme and Rochester.

(3) Includes less than five persons detained under dual immigration and other powers.

Table B
Place of detention Asylum seekers detained as at 30 September 2001(1)
Dedicated Immigration Service wings(2) 390
Other prison establishments(3) 460
Total persons detained in
prison establishments(3) 850

(4) Figures rounded to the nearest five, and may not sum due to rounding.

(5) Persons detained at the dedicated Immigration Service wings at Haslar, Lindholme and Rochester.

(6) Includes 145 persons detained under dual immigration and other powers.

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