HC Deb 30 January 2001 vol 362 cc168-9W
Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many immigration detainees were held in prison establishments(a) in January 2000, (b) in January 1997 and (c) on the last date for which figures are available; what entitlements detainees have while held in prison; and if he will make a statement. [148010]

Mrs. Roche

We differentiate between those Prison Service establishments where immigration detainees have separate facilities from the rest of the establishment, where it is possible to provide a regime that reflects more closely that which operates inside an Immigration Detention Centre, and mainstream prisons where detainees are afforded the same conditions as remand prisoners. Separate facilities have been provided at Her Majesty's Prison Rochester, Her Majesty's Prison Haslar for some time and since July 2000 at Her Majesty's Prison Lindholme.

Figures relating to the number of immigration detainees in prisons in January 1997 are not available in the same detail as those for 2000. At that time details were recorded of the number of persons detained in prisons who had sought asylum at some stage. I have included these in the table, marked with an asterix.

January 1997 January 2000 December 2000
Haslar *92 156 120
Rochester *139 193 177
Lindholme *0 0 105
Mainstream prisons *93 167 387
Total *324 516 789

The higher use of prisons in December 2000 is a reflection of the temporary use of 500 Prison Service places, for about 12 months, to support the removals programme.

Within a local prison immigration detainees are entitled to the same rights and privileges, and are managed in the same manner, as unconvicted prisoners. Detainees have access to books, newspapers, writing materials and other means of occupation of their choice and at their own expense. They are permitted to wear their own clothing. They are entitled to an unlimited number of visits, within the capacity of the establishment, and there is no restriction on the number of letters they may receive or send. They have access to legal and consular representatives and are afforded full use of Prison Service medical services. The Immigration Service ensures that Immigration Officers regularly visit prisons to provide information to detainees about the progress of their case.