6. Memorandum submitted by
Bedfordshire County Council
YARL'S
WOOD IMMIGRATION
REMOVAL CENTRE
You will be aware of the inquiry and subsequent
report published in July 2002 by Bedfordshire County Council's
Resource Stewardship Select Committee, following the incident
at the Yarl's Wood Immigration Detention (now Removal) Centre
on 14 February 2002.
The Select Committee is now reviewing the progress
being made with each of its recommendations and has identified
some areas for which it needs further clarification. The Select
Committee's original report made 15 recommendations.
I do not know whether the Select Committee intends
to undertake any work on reviewing the Stephen Shaw report to
the Home Secretary into the events at Yarl's Wood. If so, then
the County Council would also be very pleased if you would be
prepared to consider the issues set out in the Council's recommendations:
Recommendation 11
For the Home Office to ensure that all detention
centres publish detailed emergency plans for public scrutiny,
including information on evacuation procedures and public safety
plans in the event of a disturbance. These plans should be exercised
at least twice a year, with input from all relevant emergency
and statutory agencies; and
Recommendation 12
For the Home Office to require that the agents
managing and operating facilities such as Van's Wood organise
weekly fire evacuation drills to recognise the high turnover and
throughput of detainees at such centres
The Select Committee would like to see a more
open approach from the Home Office and its agencies, with regards
to these issues. One of the problems most obviously highlighted
within the local inquiry, was that of the poor communication that
existed between all parties. The publication of basic safety procedures
for Yarl's Wood and other centres, would help to build confidence
in the local community. People need to be assured that fire drills
are being carried out on a regular basis and that local emergency
and other statutory services have the appropriate input. A response
to this issue would be greatly welcomed by the County Council.
There is a further issue, which I will be referring
to the Minister, Ms Beverley Hughes, but have included below for
your information:
Recommendation 14
For the Home Office to ensure improved access
to independent advocates on behalf of detained asylum seekers,
who can act on behalf of individuals' complaints in a bid to resolve
concerns at an early stage and reduce opportunities for grievances
and disturbances
After speaking to the Yarl's Wood Centre Manager,
Ray Reveley, during its visit to Yarl's Wood on 6 October 2003,
the select committee felt that Group 4 management was making every
effort to maintain good relationships with groups such as the
"Befrienders" and that it did recognise that this sort
of input was vital for detainees' well being.
However, it was acknowledged that the legal
system can run notoriously slowly and that this aspect of the
"system" will no doubt remain as it ever has! The County
Council's Resource Stewardship select committee would be interested
in whether the Home Affairs select committee has plans to consider
this issue and whether it intends to seek assurances that any
processes in place are maintained and more such relationships
are encouraged and developed where necessary.
You may feel it necessary to refer one or more
of the above issues to another select committee, or indeed to
Group 4 or the Immigration and Nationality Department. I would
be grateful if you could let me know in your response to this
letter as to who is dealing with each recommendation.
You will appreciate that this is a matter of
the utmost importance for this Council and those people it represents
in the communities of Bedfordshire. It has been a subject that
has dominated most of the work programme of the Resource Stewardship
Select Committee over the last few months, not to mention the
media headlines. I would, therefore, be most grateful to receive
any further progress reports on this matter. I would like to take
this opportunity to thank you in advance for your help in this
matter.
Councillor Mrs Angela Roberts
Leader of Bedfordshire County Council
29 October 2003
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