§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many Immigration Act detainees were held in HM Prison Maghaberry at the most recent date; whether any were children or juveniles; how many were awaiting deportation; and whether their regime (akin to that of prisoners on the enhanced regime) would be improved if they were treated as remand prisoners. [HL2451]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalAs at 27 December 2003 (the latest available date for which data are available) fewer than five individuals recorded as having sought asylum were detained at HMP Maghaberry, all of whom were adult males.
It is not possible to identify how many of these persons were awaiting deportation.
Detainees held at HMP Maghaberry are at present treated as unconvicted prisoners, who would include prisoners on remand.
Information on the number of people detained as at 27 March 2004 will be published on the Home Office website (www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration 1.html) on 25 May 2004.