Morton Hall Immigration Removal Centre
| IRC Morton Hall | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Opened | 1985 |
| Management | HM Prison Service |
| Prison type | Immigration Removal Centre |
| Prisoner figures | 392 (October 2006) |
| Location | Morton Hall, Lincolnshire |
| Governor | Jamie Bennett |
| Information | www.justice.gov.uk |
IRC Morton Hall is an Immigration Removal Centre located in the village of Morton Hall (near Lincoln) in Lincolnshire, England. The centre is operated by Her Majesty's Prison Service, and was previously a women's prison.
[edit] History
Morton Hall was originally the site of an RAF base, which was converted into a prison and opened in 1985. It was expanded in 1996, and refitted to become a semi-open women's prison in 2001. Two ready to use units were opened in 2002, increasing overall capacity. From that time Morton Hall has been developing as a prison holding a high percentage of foreign nationals.
In January 2004, Morton became the first prison in England (along with HMP Kirkham) to trial the Intermittent Custody Scheme. The scheme saw some inmates held at Morton Hall from Monday to Friday (released at weekends), while another set of prisoners were held on Saturdays and Sundays (released during the week). The scheme was designed to allow prisoners on short sentences to remain in employment, independent housing and maintain family ties during their jail terms.[1] The scheme was subsequently abandoned in November 2006.[2]
In May 2004, a report from the Prison Reform Trust called for more facilities and support for foreign prisoners held at Morton Hall. The Trust noted improvements at the jail, but stated that more resources and staff training were needed to improve the regime at Morton Hall.[3]
Morton Hall was recategoried as a closed women's prison in 2009.[4] The prison held a high percentage of foreign nationals,[5] and had a resettlement unit for prisoners coming to the end of their sentence who were settling in the UK.[citation needed]
In 2011 Morton Hall closed and re-opened as an Immigration Removal Centre,[4] holding adult males awaiting deportation.[6] The centre was formally opened on 1 June 2011 by Immigration Minister Damian Green.[7]
[edit] References
- ^ Allison, Eric (26 January 2004). "'Home and away' prison trial begins". London: guardian.co.uk. http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2004/jan/26/ukcrime.prisonsandprobation. Retrieved 2008-12-18.
- ^ "'Weekend prison' scheme scrapped". bbc.co.uk. 02 November 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lincolnshire/3752405.stm. Retrieved 2008-12-18.
- ^ "Foreign inmates 'need more help'". bbc.co.uk. 27 May 2004. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lincolnshire/3752405.stm. Retrieved 2008-12-18.
- ^ a b "Centre boosts UK detention capacity". Belfast Telegraph. 1 June 2011. http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/uk/centre-boosts-uk-detention-capacity-16006657.html. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
- ^ Johnston, Philip (2007-10-24). "Britain has two jails for foreign inmates only". Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1567177/Britain-has-two-jails-for-foreign-inmates-only.html. Retrieved 2012-01-07.
- ^ "Morton Hall Immigration Removal Centre". Justice.gov.uk. 2011-10-04. http://www.justice.gov.uk/global/contacts/noms/prison-finder/morton-hall/. Retrieved 2012-01-07.
- ^ "Immigration Centre Opens In Lincolnshire : UK National News". Build.co.uk. http://www.build.co.uk/national_news.asp?newsid=127422. Retrieved 2012-01-07.
