§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department as what category of inmate people detained in prison for immigration irregularities will be held; and if he will make a statement. [145163]
§ Mr. BoatengPersons who are detained in prison by reason only of a recommendation for deportation are treated as unconvicted prisoners for the purpose of prison management and, like unconvicted prisoners, are categorised category U (unclassified).
The majority of detainees are held in category B establishments although some are detained in category C prisons. They are not required to mix with unconvicted prisoners.
§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department from what prison budget funding is provided for the cost of detaining people in prison for immigration reasons. [145164]
§ Mr. BoatengThe Prison Service baseline funding includes provision to cover the cost of providing around 500 places for immigration detainees. For operational reasons, these are accommodated principally at Rochester and Lindholme prisons and Haslar holding centre, but local prison places are also used. There is no separately identified budget for this. The Prison Service has agreed to provide accommodation for up to a further 500 places until the end of 2001 from within existing capacity.