IAPDC asks Immigration Minister for urgent clarification on the “drastic deterioration in conditions” at Manston
The Independent Advisory Panel on Deaths in Custody (IAPDC) has today, 28 October 2022, written to the Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP, Minister for Immigration, regarding the “drastic deterioration in conditions” at Manston, a migrant processing centre, and the potential associated risk to life they pose.
Following a visit to the facility, the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration, David Neal, this week described the “wretched” situation he witnessed as part of evidence he gave to the Home Affairs Committee. An earlier visit by Juliet Lyon, Chair of the IAPDC, highlighted the inadequate catering and sleeping arrangements at the centre and its unsuitability for holding detainees beyond short periods.
Yet recent reports suggest that families, with young children, have been held at the centre for 32 days, well beyond the legal period of 24-hours. Equally concerning is that four cases of the highly contagious and potentially fatal disease diphtheria have also been confirmed.
In its letter, the IAPDC states:
“It was confirmed that there are around 2,800 people currently on site, almost double the maximum capacity of 1,600. This raises serious concerns about the ability of staff to keep people, including very young children, safe from risks of fire, disorder, and infection.”
It goes on to call on the Immigration Minister to clarify what action the Home Office is taking to address the perilous situation faced by the thousands of people held at the facility, including measures to:
prevent a widespread outbreak of infection;
ensure the facility is supervised by staff with proper powers and appropriate training to keep individuals safe; and
enable immediate resettlement, particularly of the most vulnerable.