Detention/Adults: The number of people entering detention in 2015 increased by 7% to 32,446 from 30,364 in the previous year. Over the same period there was a 12% increase in those leaving detention (from 29,674 to 33,189). As at the end of December 2015, 2,607 people were in detention, 25% lower than the number recorded at the end of December 2014 (3,462). The fall may be partially attributed to the closure of Dover IRC in October 2015 and changes to the detained fast track asylum process.
There was a continuing decline in the proportion of detainees being removed or voluntarily departing the UK on leaving detention, from the most recent peak in the year ending March 2011 of 64% to 45% in 2015. Conversely, there was an increase in the proportion of detainees granted temporary admission or release, from 28% to 43%, and an increase in the proportion of detainees granted bail, from 6% to 10%, over the same periods.
Detention/Children: In the fourth quarter of 2015, 18 children entered detention, compared with 44 in the fourth quarter of 2014 and 67 in the fourth quarter of 2013. Of the 18 children, 9 were initially detained at Tinsley House (Family Unit) immigration removal centre (IRC), 8 at Cedars pre-departure accommodation (PDA) and 1 at Yarl’s Wood IRC.
Of the 20 children leaving detention in the fourth quarter of 2015, 11 were removed from the UK and 9 were granted temporary admission, temporary release or unconditional release. Of those leaving detention, all 20 had been detained for three days or less. The number of children removed from the UK on leaving detention has ranged from 2 out of 24 (8%) in the first quarter of 2011 to 23 out of 37 (62%) in the third quarter of 2011 and currently in this quarter 11 out of 20 (55%). There were no children in detention as at 31 December 2015.
Lengths of Detention: During 2015, 33,189 people left detention. Of these, 62% had been in detention for less than 29 days, 18% for between 29 days and two months and 12% for between two and four months. Of the 2,521 (8%) remaining, 255 had been in detention for between one and two years and 41 for two years or longer. Over a third (35%) of people leaving detention had been detained for seven days or less (11,535). Of these, 5,669 (49%) were granted temporary admission or release, 5,588 (48%) were removed, 64 (1%) were bailed and 61 (1%) were granted leave to enter or remain. Of the 296 detained for 12 months or more, 39% were removed, 32% were bailed and 24% were granted temporary admission or release.
Leaving Detention: Of the 33,189 people leaving detention in 2015, 15,086 were removed or voluntarily departed from the UK. Of the 15,086 people removed or who voluntarily departed from the UK: 70% (10,540) were subject to enforced removal; 19% (2,824) were refused entry at port and detained whilst travel arrangements were made; and 10% (1,568) were voluntary departures, where once the individual has been detained, they have decided to leave the UK and have made their own travel arrangements.
Immigration Detainees in Prisons: As at 4 January 2016 there were 418 detainees held in prison establishments in England and Wales solely under immigration powers as set out in the Immigration Act 1971 or UK Borders Act 2007.
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