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| How detention is still affecting children at Heathrow | How detention is still affecting children at Heathrow |
| (5 months later) | |
| Nick Clegg (We are proud of having ended child detention, 20 October) says that children detained at the border are transferred to family friendly facilities at Tinsley House, if there is a short delay before their flight out. In fact, children continue to spend long periods in detention at Heathrow, including overnight. Border Force staff continue to try to deal with children's cases faster. However, long periods of detention are still likely when a family is not admitted to the country and has to be returned. If a family is detained in the morning, there is every chance it will remain at the airport and be removed on an evening flight. | Nick Clegg (We are proud of having ended child detention, 20 October) says that children detained at the border are transferred to family friendly facilities at Tinsley House, if there is a short delay before their flight out. In fact, children continue to spend long periods in detention at Heathrow, including overnight. Border Force staff continue to try to deal with children's cases faster. However, long periods of detention are still likely when a family is not admitted to the country and has to be returned. If a family is detained in the morning, there is every chance it will remain at the airport and be removed on an evening flight. |
| Those who are held in the afternoon and evening will probably not leave until the next day. By the time a family's case has been considered, accommodation allocated and transport organised, several hours may have passed. There is then the journey of 41 miles, followed by the admission procedure at Tinsley House. Detainees being removed through Heathrow on morning flights can expect to be collected from immigration removal centres very early in the morning to allow time for security procedures on arrival back at Heathrow. | Those who are held in the afternoon and evening will probably not leave until the next day. By the time a family's case has been considered, accommodation allocated and transport organised, several hours may have passed. There is then the journey of 41 miles, followed by the admission procedure at Tinsley House. Detainees being removed through Heathrow on morning flights can expect to be collected from immigration removal centres very early in the morning to allow time for security procedures on arrival back at Heathrow. |
| This being the case, children detained during the evening and to be removed next morning are very likely to be held overnight at Heathrow, because there is no time to get them to Tinsley House and back while allowing a reasonable time in bed. The accommodation in which some children spend many hours at Heathrow is unsuitable. Even if promised improvements are delivered, there will still be no natural light, no access to the open air and no proper sleeping accommodation in the holding rooms. | This being the case, children detained during the evening and to be removed next morning are very likely to be held overnight at Heathrow, because there is no time to get them to Tinsley House and back while allowing a reasonable time in bed. The accommodation in which some children spend many hours at Heathrow is unsuitable. Even if promised improvements are delivered, there will still be no natural light, no access to the open air and no proper sleeping accommodation in the holding rooms. |
| Mr Clegg also refers to the family friendly facility at Cedars. This is, indeed, to a very high standard. However, there is an urgent need for accommodation of a similar standard at Heathrow for the children who continue to be detained there. Greg Beecroft Chair, Heathrow Independent Monitoring Board | Mr Clegg also refers to the family friendly facility at Cedars. This is, indeed, to a very high standard. However, there is an urgent need for accommodation of a similar standard at Heathrow for the children who continue to be detained there. Greg Beecroft Chair, Heathrow Independent Monitoring Board |
| • Liberal Democrat MPs keep claiming they have ended the immigration detention of children. This is simply not true: 84 children have been detained in the new immigration detention facility for children that the government has opened. It is run by G4S and Barnardo's. | • Liberal Democrat MPs keep claiming they have ended the immigration detention of children. This is simply not true: 84 children have been detained in the new immigration detention facility for children that the government has opened. It is run by G4S and Barnardo's. |
| Nick Clegg describes the place as a "decent stopping off point" and that families are "accommodated" there. Families are, in fact, detained there, which is why it is inspected by HM Inspector of Prisons. | Nick Clegg describes the place as a "decent stopping off point" and that families are "accommodated" there. Families are, in fact, detained there, which is why it is inspected by HM Inspector of Prisons. |
| The inspectorate reported last week that force had been used on children, that six families at the new detention facility had been detained twice, and one three times. It revealed that a pregnant woman in a wheelchair was tipped up and had her feet held by G4S staff, noting that the risk of injury to the unborn child was significant. | The inspectorate reported last week that force had been used on children, that six families at the new detention facility had been detained twice, and one three times. It revealed that a pregnant woman in a wheelchair was tipped up and had her feet held by G4S staff, noting that the risk of injury to the unborn child was significant. |
| The NSPCC has said: "Locking up children like this is wrong and unacceptable. Better-quality detention is still detention, however dressed up." In opposition, Nick Clegg branded the immigration detention of children as "state-sponsored cruelty", promising to end it. David Cameron declared that his government would "end the incarceration of children for immigration purposes once and for all". They can and they should – today. Emma Mlotshwa Co-ordinator, Medical Justice | The NSPCC has said: "Locking up children like this is wrong and unacceptable. Better-quality detention is still detention, however dressed up." In opposition, Nick Clegg branded the immigration detention of children as "state-sponsored cruelty", promising to end it. David Cameron declared that his government would "end the incarceration of children for immigration purposes once and for all". They can and they should – today. Emma Mlotshwa Co-ordinator, Medical Justice |
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