Report of Parliamentary Detention Inquiry published today
3rd March 2015
Today’s launch of the cross-party Parliamentary report into the use of immigration detention is a significant event for everyone working in the sector. The report calls for a 28-day time limit on detention (currently there is no time limit) and for fundamental changes in the way detention is used in the UK. It has received front-page coverage in today's Guardian and Independent.
Music In Detention submitted evidence to the Detention Inquiry. You can download our submission here:
Submission to the Inquiry into the use of Immigration Detention
Our evidence was based on our 10 years of experience working with people held in UK immigration detention centres. We drew attention to the psychological damage caused by detention, especially by the lack of a time limit and for those detained for long periods, and the importance of good quality education and activity provision, to address both skills needs and the psychological effects of detention itself. We pointed out that our work in local communities near detention centres has shown a capacity for empathy with detainees which in debates on immigration is all too often overlooked.
MID welcomes this report and is pleased that the psychological damage caused by detention, especially to vulnerable detainees, has been taken so seriously by the Detention Inquiry.
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