Home Department written question – answered at on 13 September 2006.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department
(1) how many people held in open prisons while awaiting deportation absconded in each year between 2001 and 2005;
(2) how many people awaiting deportation were held in open prisons on 31 December (a) 2005, (b) 2004, (c) 2003, (d) 2002 and (e) 2001;
(3) what guidance he has issued on the holding in open prisons of those awaiting deportation; and if he will make a statement.
Information on the number of people awaiting deportation who have absconded or have been held in open conditions is not held centrally in the format requested and may only be obtained at a disproportionate cost. The Prison Service reviewed the criteria for the categorisation and allocation of foreign national prisoners to open conditions earlier this year. The review concluded that no changes to the security re-categorisation policy were required. However, governors were advised that before a foreign national prisoner was approved for open conditions the individual risk was to be assessed on the assumption that deportation will take place unless a decision not to deport had already been taken by the Immigration and Nationality Directorate.
Yes1 person thinks so
No3 people think not
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