AVID, LDSG and GDWG collectively call for Detention Reform

A joint letter, co-signed by 28 organisations across the sector, was sent to Damian Green Immigration Minister and Theresa May Home Secretary in June 2010. In this letter, we asked for a halt on proposed expansion to the detention estate until an enquiry has been carried out into the practice.

We have now recieved a response to our letter, which you can read in full here. The response came from UKBA detention services and refutes our argument that current use of detention is "expensive, inefficient and damaging". It outlines the UKBA policies and procedures which underpin immigration detention, and reiterates their long held view that detention is used only when necessary, for the shortest time possible, and with adequate support mechanisms in place.

This initial response is disheartening, but we see this as a the first step in a wider programme of collaborative work, building on momentum already evidenced by those 28 organisations who joined us in making this call.

Next steps include engaging parliamentarians and raising awareness of the need for detention to be investigated. Along with GDWG and LDSG we have drafted a briefing and statement, available to all, and which we urge you to send to your MP. We'll keep you informed on progress via the Detention Forum website: http://detentionforum.wordpress.com

Oakington IRC to close on 12th November

You can read the full article here

No formal announcement on Ending Child Detention before Parliamentary Recess

Despite NIck Clegg's pledge that the family unit at Yarl's Wood IRC was to close, NGOs expressed concerns that no formal announcement to this effect was made before the Parliamentary Recess. These fears were given substance by the leaking of a document about a pilot scheme the UKBA has launched in North West England. The document outlines a pilot 'alternative to detention' scheme which rather than detaining families, will give them 2 weeks notice to leave the UK voluntarily. If the family fails to go, they will be deported 'at some point' in the next 2 weeks. The document outlines possible impacts on public services including police, as well as the need to minimise community protests and disruption.

AVID is concerned that two weeks notice is inadequate, particularly for those families who have been in the UK for some time. These kind of schemes were argued against by many who submitted responses to the consultation which took place as part of the review of child detention.

AVID's response to the consultation on Ending Child Detention

You can read AVID's response to the consultation here