Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Immigration Detention for Women

Monday 7 June 2021 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The use of detention for women who have survived torture, rape, or trafficking is extremely rare.
  • An adults-at-risk policy ensures that vulnerability outweighs the risk of detention only in cases where public safety is a concern.
  • Hassockfield replaces Yarl's Wood and will mainly be used for male detainees, reducing the number of female detention places.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kate Osborne Lab Jarrow and Gateshead East
Immigration
Context

Concerns have been raised about the use of immigration detention for women who are survivors of torture, rape or trafficking. The question arises in light of a planned new immigration removal centre for women on the former Medomsley detention centre site.

Question

What steps is her Department taking to reduce the use of immigration detention for women who have survived torture, rape or trafficking?

Answer from Chris Philp

The use of detention has significantly reduced over recent years. For survivors of torture, rape, or trafficking, detention is used extremely sparingly. An adults-at-risk policy ensures that vulnerability outweighs risk only in rare cases where public safety is at stake.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question specifically asked about steps taken to reduce detention use but the answer focused on existing policies and their application rather than new initiatives or measures.

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Q2 Kate Osborne Lab Jarrow and Gateshead East
Immigration Migrants & Borders NHS
Context

An immigration removal centre for women is set to open at the former Medomsley detention centre site in the north-east, despite a Home Office commitment to reduce its use of detention. Concerns exist regarding mental health impacts on detainees.

Question

The Minister says that these cases are extremely rare, but an immigration removal centre for women is set to open in the north-east on the former Medomsley detention centre site. Research shows many detainees are survivors of torture, rape or trafficking and detaining women this way severely impacts mental health. Should reopening be reviewed and can immigration cases be resolved more humanely at less cost in the community?

Answer from Chris Philp

Detention use has significantly reduced; Hassockfield replaces Yarl's Wood for mainly male use, reducing female detention places. No review will take place as it represents a reduction in numbers and the adults-at-risk policy carefully weighs vulnerability against detention needs.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question specifically asked about reviewing reopening but the answer stated no review would occur without addressing this specific point.

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