25/02/06 - Refugees trapped in limbo-land - Alistair Burt MP

The Independent, Letters, 25th February 2006

Sir: The circumstances of Sophie Odogo's mental collapse whilst detained by the immigration authorities at Yarl's Wood ("Inquiry into 'mistreatment' of Ugandan refugee", 20 February) are distressing enough, but there may be an underlying problem which I have asked the Prisons Inspector to consider.

Photo : Alistair Burt MP

Refugees trapped in limbo-land - Alistair Burt MP
The Independent, Letters, 25th February 2006

Sir: The circumstances of Sophie Odogo's mental collapse whilst detained by the immigration authorities at Yarl's Wood ("Inquiry into 'mistreatment' of Ugandan refugee", 20 February) are distressing enough, but there may be an underlying problem which I have asked the Prisons Inspector to consider.

In answer to my parliamentary question, the Home Office say that five women have now been detained at Yarl's Wood for over a year, and a further five for between six months and a year. This is at a facility originally intended to hold people for only a short period before "removal".

Once removal directions have been stopped, the detainee is left uncertain of when the next removal date will be set, which is dependent on legal applications or other efforts on their behalf. Whilst this is an understandable and inevitable position for a short time, to be in such limbo-land for a year or more has deeply distressing personal effects, including on mental health. I acknowledge that bail applications are open to them, but these are routinely opposed by the Immigration Service, and there is little equality of bargaining power.

My personal experience of some of these women's sad situations makes me query whether such lengthy detention, effectively without end date, is now right. There must be a better answer.

ALISTAIR BURT MP
(NE BEDFORDSHIRE, C) HOUSE OF COMMONS

http://comment.independent.co.uk/letters/article347572.ece

About the HM Inspector of Prisons Inquiry into Healthcare at Yarl's Wood