Prisons: OPCAT Debate

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Department: Ministry of Justice

Prisons: OPCAT

Lord Corbett of Castle Vale Excerpts
Monday 28th March 2011

(13 years, 7 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord McNally Portrait Lord McNally
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My Lords, the Government are committed to the operation of this protocol. All the bodies covering it have had to take their share of cuts, but they should keep in mind the overall commitment to honour the protocol when they apply those cuts.

Lord Corbett of Castle Vale Portrait Lord Corbett of Castle Vale
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My Lords, the Minister will be aware that the report also reflects concerns about the length of time that some detainees are kept in immigration removal centres. What is being done to keep their number to the absolute minimum for the shortest possible time?

Lord McNally Portrait Lord McNally
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My Lords, there is concern, and the UK Border Agency regularly reviews all cases where people are detained under immigration powers. It will consider for release all those who have been assessed as presenting a low risk of harm to the public and/or who are unlikely to abscond. However, there will always be some detainees who need to be detained.