§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what outside authority visits the Harmondsworth Immigration Detention Centre to observe the conditions in that establishment; when the last visit took place; what reports and recommendations were sent to the appropriate Home Office department; and if he will make a statement. [20622]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienWhile there is no statutory provision for the inspection of immigration detention centres by the Chief Inspector of Prisons, Judge Tumim inspected Harmondsworth Detention Centre in November 1988 at the invitation of the then Home Secretary. Judge Tumim's subsequent report was published in March 1989 and made a number of recommendations which, with only one exception, have all been implemented. The provision of a multi-gym has not been possible because of a lack of suitable accommodation.
The Chief Inspector of Prisons, Sir David Ramsbotham, has inspected both Campsfield House and Tinsley House Detention Centres in the past year, and intends to conduct a full inspection of Harmondsworth Detention Centre in his 1998–99 programme.
An independent body, the Harmondsworth Visiting Committee, also provides reports for the Home Secretary on the detention centre. Established in 1990, the Harmondsworth Visiting Committee's members are appointed by the Home Secretary and are drawn from a variety of different ethnic, cultural and occupational backgrounds. The Committee's function is to satisfy itself about the administration of the centre, the upkeep of the premises, and the centre's facilities for the care and treatment of detainees. The last such visit made by the Committee was on 10 December 1997. Matters arising from these visits are discussed the same day with members of Group 4 Total Security Limited and the Detention Management Unit of the Immigration Service.
Visiting Committee members have access to the Detention Centre and detainees at all times and can raise any matters of concern, either with the Immigration Service or direct with the Home Secretary. The Committee meets formally once a month and submits an annual report to the Home Secretary on the state of the 14W Centre and its administration. This report may include the provision of any advice or suggestions considered appropriate.
§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the daily schedule of activities that people held at the Harmondsworth Immigration Detention Centre are allowed to follow each day; and if he will list the activities. [20620]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienA full time amenities officer is employed at Harmondsworth Detention Centre and she prepares and publishes a schedule of activities available in the centre. Detainees may attend or participate in as many of the activities as they wish. Organised activities to date have included:
- Art Classes
- Badminton
- Battleships
- Bingo
- Boules
- Card Games
- Chess
- Chess Competitions
- Craft Afternoons
- Cricket
- Dice Games
- Dominoes
- Draughts
- Football
- Football Competitions
- Games Evenings
- Jenga
- Logic Games
- Mindtrap
- Music Evenings
- Needlecraft
- Scrabble Competition
- Table tennis
- Table Tennis Competitions
- Table football
- Table Football Competitions
- Treasure Hunt
- Video Game Competitions
- Volleyball
- Volleyball Competitions.
Detainees are also encouraged to organise their own activities and, in addition to the amenities listed, have access to jigsaw puzzles, playing cards and board games. They also have access to television sets, with both terrestrial and satellite channels, and a video recording machine is available for detainees to watch their own approved foreign language material. A selection of newspapers and books in various languages is provided.
English lessons are given at the Centre twice a week. A room has been set aside for multi-denominational private prayer, and larger prayer meetings are held regularly and attended by visiting clergy.
15W
§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the present clothes washing facilities that exist at the Harmondsworth Immigration Detention Centre; and when these facilities were last inspected. [20621]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienA washing machine and tumble dryer are provided in each of the two buildings at Harmondsworth Detention Centre for the use of detainees. Hand washing facilities are also available. Washing powder is provided free of charge.
The machines are tested annually for electrical safety and were last inspected in April 1997. Should any fault be reported on any of the machines, an engineer is called to carry out the necessary repairs.
§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which organisation is responsible for the running of the Harmondsworth Immigration Detention Centre; and to whom it reports within his Department. [20592]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienGroup Four Total Security Limited are employed under contract by the Home Office to undertake the day-to-day supervision and care of immigration detainees held at the Harmondsworth Immigration Detention Centre. Overall management of the centre is undertaken on site by staff of the Detention Management Unit, which is part of the Immigration Service Enforcement Directorate.