Examination of Witnesses (Questions 360-371)
MR DAVID
BANKS, MR
HERB NAHAPIET,
MR TREVOR
WILLIAMS AND
MR MICHAEL
PAYNE
TUESDAY 28 JANUARY 2003
360. There are no notices—
(Mr Payne) I do not think so, no.
361.—advertising the Assisted Returns
Programme?
(Mr Banks) I think that is done via the interaction
between the immigration service and the detainee, so it is not
an aspect that we actually get involved in either in an active
way or, indeed, advertising the scheme.
362. Where are you saying it is done? At what
point?
(Mr Banks) Obviously detainees are in touch with their—
363. Anyway, sometime before they arrive at
your door?
(Mr Banks) It is a process that happens with the interaction
between the detainee and the Immigration Department. It is not
a process that we are involved with in any shape or form.
364. And there is no advantage in your being
involved with it, in your view? There is no shortage of customers.
(Mr Williams) In theory, if there were residents in
removal centres who could turn themselves into voluntary removal
cases, that is presumably a good thing but I do not think it is
anything that we have given any real consideration to because
we are acting on the premise that our client group have rejected
those invitations and have become subject to the likelihood of
removal.
365. Which is why they are where they are.
(Mr Payne) Certainly if we were asked to do it we
would accommodate that request. As David said, it is normally
an immigration service process and not part of our remit.
(Mr Banks) It would be perfectly feasible to advertise
the scheme and direct detainees in the right direction.
366. Are you stuck with some people because
the IND cannot get its act together sufficiently or because of
other practical problems, such as no airline will carry them?
When we visited Harmondsworth the other day we were waylaid by
a Jamaican who said he had been there three or four months and
was desperate to get home.
(Mr Williams) We are generally not privy to the detail
of the case and the progress of it. Undoubtedly detainees share
with staff their perception of how the process is going and what
is holding that process up but in the main it is a procedure that
is overseen by the immigration services and remains privy between
them and the detainee.
367. It is a question best put to the IND?
(Mr Williams) Yes, correct.
368. Okay, gentlemen. Finally, do you have any
suggestions for things that would make your job easier—changes
that would make your job easier?
(Mr Payne) I think communication is the emphasis,
particularly communication about individual detainees to form
risk assessments. I do not just mean risk assessments in relation
to violence but in a variety of different aspects—such as
medical conditions and all sorts of things. We go to ports—and
I am not blaming the immigration service because they do not know
themselves; they are presented with an individual who has arrived
in this country and they have got scant information about him
but during the inquiry process that information could be passed
on, which would make the logistical exercise and care of the individual
so much more easily executed.
369. Any other thoughts?
(Mr Nahapiet) I would endorse that opinion, better
communication.
370. You could do with better information accompanying
the arrivals?
(Mr Nahapiet) Correct. So that we can actually deal
with the issues that are affecting the individual by anticipating
them. They would feel better that we know what they are about.
They tend to assume we know everything about them, and of course
we do not.
371. And so say all of you?
(Mr Williams) One of the things that I think characterises
the detainee population from, as I say, the prison population
is the speed with which that overall risk profile changes—very
quickly—in the space of days and weeks. We are much better
able to care for the needs of detainees on the basis of the information
and our ability to risk-assess their propensity to harm themselves
and to harm others. The whole operation can be greatly improved
with that flow of information, and I concur with colleagues.
Chairman: Any other suggestions for making
the system more efficient? No? In that case, gentlemen, thank
you very much for coming. I must say you have answered questions
more concisely than some politicians of my acquaintance and, as
a result, we have got through the business slightly quicker than
we anticipated. Thank you very much, indeed. You have been very
helpful.
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