§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether Immigration Act detainees have been and are still held together with convicted offenders in Northern Ireland or Scotland; if so, whether this contravenes the United Nations Principles for the Protection of Persons under Detention (1998) and the European Prison Rules (1997); and whether they have plans for alternative arrangements which will provide easy access to legal advice for detainees. [HL2]
§ The Minister of State, Home Office (Lord Rooker)Immigration Act detainees in United Kingdom prisons are generally held with unconvicted or remand prisoners. In Northern Ireland, from the end of May this year, Immigration Act detainees are being held at Her Majesty's Prison Maghaberry in a separate unit for "vulnerable" prisoners. Where possible, Immigration Act detainees will be held separately within this separate unit.
We are satisfied that these arrangements comply both with the United Nations Body of Principles for the Protection of All Persons Under Any Form of Detention or Imprisonment and the European Prison Rules.