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Beyond alternatives to detention?

Beyond alternatives to detention?. The UK experience: an NGO perspective. Beyond alternatives to detention. UK achievements show value of moving beyond narrow model of detention or alternatives. UK has explored a range of approaches based on enforcement and / or engagement.

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Beyond alternatives to detention?

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  1. Beyond alternatives to detention? The UK experience: an NGO perspective

  2. Beyond alternatives to detention UK achievements show value of moving beyond narrow model of detention or alternatives. UK has explored a range of approaches based on enforcement and / or engagement.

  3. International good practice International Detention Coalition documented “a range a of strategies to keep individuals engaged in immigration procedures while living in the community... Successful programs support clients through the bureaucratic process with information and advice to explore all options to remain in the country legally and, if needed, to consider all avenues to depart the country.” – There Are Alternatives, 2011

  4. A range of approaches The UK has explored: • End of process alternatives to detention • Early interventions that reduce the need for enforcement

  5. The challenge for UK immigration control • Credibility Convince migrants and public of effectiveness • Trust Obtain compliance of migrants with a system that is seen as fair

  6. Strategies for overcoming barriers to removal • Enforcement End of process, returns-orientated • Engagement Early intervention, explore different outcomes

  7. The enforcement approach:long-term detention • Can enforcement alone guarantee returns, with sufficient investment? • The UK uses long-term detention of ex-offenders in order to overcome barriers to removal. • Yet 57% of detainees held for over a year are released.

  8. End of process engagement to promote voluntary return:The Glasgow Family Returns Project Pilot residential alternative to detention for families at end of asylum process. Families receive support from social workers. Aims: • Increase take-up of voluntary return • Maximise child welfare at end of asylum process • No additional cost compared to detention

  9. Glasgow Family Return Project outcomes Evaluation (May 2011): • 25 families entered the project • 3 agreed voluntary return, but refused by Home Office • 3 enforced returns • No voluntary returns

  10. Glasgow Family Returns Project: analysis • Families felt lack of trust in the system and did not believe that they would be removed • Most were long-term resident in Glasgow • End-of-process intervention with exclusive focus on return did not create trust • But positives: partnership approach, improved information for families, avoidance of detention

  11. Early engagement approaches:1) Early Legal Advice Project Provides early legal advice and representation to improve the quality of initial asylum decisions Rolled out in Midlands / East region since November 2010

  12. Early Legal Advice Project: outcomes Outcomes of earlier Solihull pilot: • 75% higher than national average rate for case conclusion within 6 months • 73% higher initial refugee status grant rate • 50% lower successful appeal rate. Early signs that current project also yielding positive outcomes

  13. Early engagement approaches:2) FamilyKey Workers Pilot 2011 pilot carried out by Refugee Action NGO in Liverpool area, based on an earlier pilot between April 2010 and 2011. • Refugee Action Key Workers support asylum-seekers throughout process to meet welfare needs and improve understanding • Discuss voluntary return options at early stage • But no involvement of legal representives

  14. Key Workers Pilot: objectives • Asylum-seekers welfare needs are met • Asylum-seekers understand the asylum process • Asylum-seekers better able to take decisions about their futures, including voluntary return • Asylum-seekers experience reduced stress

  15. Conclusions • Early engagement can build trust in the system and improves case conclusion rates • Trust is essential to successful processes • Projects suffer from not being integrated with each other into end-to-end systemic engagement

  16. Beyond alternatives to detention Detention Action

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