_

Strategy for Developing Detention Capability

Ensure National Coverage at Reasonable Cost

The core estate will be developed as follows: -

Timeline	Centre	Capacity
Current Position	Colnbrook, Heathrow	385
		Harmondsworth, Heathrow	259
		Yarl's Wood, Bedfordshire (Females & Families)	400
		Tinsley House, Gatwick	145
		Dover	316
		Campsfield, Oxfordshire	215
		Lindholme	112
		Dungavel, Scotland	189
		Haslar, Portsmouth	160
		Oakington	352 Funded only until Brook House opens.
		TOTAL	c2,500
End 2008	Brook House	426
End 2009	Harmondsworth	370
	TOTAL	c3,300
2009 - 2010	Loss of Oakington	-352 (Funded only until Brook House opens)
2010 - 2012	Additional New Development	600 (not Funded)
	TOTAL	c3,500
2010 -2015	Obsolescence	Up to c1,000 beds

We also continue to look at alternative options for the detention of families with children. An alternative hostel-type approach is planned for later in 2007. We are also in discussions with our public, voluntary and private sector partners about other potential options. The strategy identifies the need to retain the dedicated accommodation at Yarl's Wood for families, but recognises the opportunity to reduce the level. The accommodation at Yarl's Wood currently dedicated to families could be re-configured for females.

Centre

Capacity

Description

Yarl's Wood, Bedfordshire

400

Modern, main centre for females and families only, though not of solid construction. Houses female Fast-Track with on-site Hearing Centre. Also houses female and family NSA. Leased land- renewal in 2018.

Detention of Families with Children

The detention of families with children is naturally a controversial matter. Families with children can be detained on the same basis as all other persons (to assess identity/basis of claim; risk of abscond, fast-track asylum process or to effect removal). In practice, however, families with children are not normally detained until there is a clear prospect of removal and the family will not depart the UK voluntarily.

We have in place very stringent controls overseen centrally by the Management of Detained Casework Unit. Ministerial authority is required to hold a family with children beyond 28 days. Our facilities at Yarl's Wood provide good quality care for families with children including education, nursery and social work services. Full child protection processes are in place and we work very closely with voluntary sector partners and inspection bodies.

Our strategy is to continue to review the alternatives to detaining families with children, with the aim of reducing reliance on detention to very exceptional circumstances. It is recognized that this is no easy task as many families with children, like other groups not entitled to be in the UK, will go to sometimes extreme lengths to avoid removal. We have arrangements in place to trial a new hostel approach from November 2007. This involves moving families with children whose asylum claims have been refused out of their community housing to a central hostel and to work collaboratively with them to achieve their removal from the UK. We also continue to consider other alternatives, working closely with our public, voluntary and private sector partners.

Other Key Considerations

There are a number of other factors critical to the provision of effective detention resource and these are addressed in this strategy as follows: -

Female Provision - Yarl's Wood currently provides the majority of capacity for females, with some short-term provision at the extremes of Dungavel in the North and Tinsley in the South. Whilst Yarl's Wood has been assessed jointly with Prison Service as being unsuitable for males, it is generally suitable for holding females. With a reduction in ex-FNPs there should continue to be enough capacity at Yarl's Wood for females. In the event that expansion is required, the options for reducing the detention of families may deliver scope to expand female provision at Yarl's Wood. In addition, the self-contained wing approach at Colnbrook, Brook House and the Harmondsworth re-build provide the opportunity for conversion of individual wings for female use as required.

Annex A - Legal and Caseworking Controls on the Use of Detention

Family Detention involving children is subject to the following approvals: -

7 days by MODCU HEO
10 days by MODCU SEO
14 days and each subsequent 7 days by MODCU Assistant Director
Ministerial authorisation beyond 28 days