Detention
Published 25 August 2016
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/immigration-statistics-april-to-june-2016/detention
Valid: 25 August 2016 to 30 November 2016
All data below relate to year ending June 2016 and all comparisons are with year ending June 2015, unless indicated otherwise.
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1. Key facts
The number of people entering detention in year ending June 2016 decreased by 1% to 31,596 from 32,053 in the previous year.
Over the same period there was a 1% increase in those people leaving detention (from 31,649 to 32,055). There was a continuing decline in the proportion of detainees being returned or voluntarily departing the UK on leaving detention in the year ending June 2015 of 49% to 44% in year ending June 2016. Conversely, there was an increase in the proportion of detainees granted temporary admission or release (TA/TR), from 40% to 45%.
As at the end of June 2016, 2,878 people were in detention, 16% lower than the number recorded at the end of June 2015 (3,418). The fall may be partially attributed to the closure of Dover IRC in October 2015, and changes to the detained fast track asylum process, as well as changes in the numbers of people requiring detention.
2. People entering, leaving and in detention, solely under Immigration Act powers
| Year | Entering detention | Leaving detention | In detention(1) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year ending June 2012 | 28,239 | 27,887 | 2,993 |
| Year ending June 2013 | 29,708 | 29,357 | 3,142 |
| Year ending June 2014 | 29,122 | 29,055 | 3,079 |
| Year ending June 2015 | 32,053 | 31,649 | 3,418 |
| Year ending June 2016 | 31,596 | 32,055 | 2,878 |
| Change: latest year | -457 | +406 | -540 |
| Percentage change | -1% | +1% | -16% |
Table notes
Source: Home Office, Immigration Statistics April to June 2016, Detention tables dt 01 q, dt 05 q and dt 11 q.
(1) The “in detention” figures are as at the end of June in each year.
3. People leaving detention by nationality
In the year ending June 2016, 32,055 people left detention. Indian nationals accounted for the highest number of people leaving (3,257), an increase of 8% compared with year ending June 2015 (3,009).
Top 5 nationalities of people leaving detention, year ending June 2016
| Nationality | Leaving detention | % Returned on leaving detention | % Granted TA/TR on leaving detention |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | 3,257 | 34% | 52% |
| Pakistan | 3,096 | 35% | 51% |
| Albania | 2,030 | 78% | 15% |
| Iran | 1,836 | 5% | 93% |
| Bangladesh | 1,768 | 29% | 56% |
Table notes
Source: Home Office, Immigration Statistics April to June 2016, Detention table dt 08 q.
Returned on leaving detention includes enforced returns, voluntary returns and refused entry at port and subsequently departed.
3.1 EU nationals leaving detention
In year ending June 2016, 4,139 nationals of the European Union left detention, 33% more than in year ending June 2015 (3,105). The largest number was Romanian nationals (1,313; 4% of the total of all nationalities leaving detention). The second and third largest groups were Polish nationals (1,025; 3% of the total) and Lithuanian nationals (567; 2% of the total).
The proportion of EU nationals being returned or voluntarily departing the UK on leaving detention in year ending June 2016 was 89%, compared with 38% for non-EU nationals.
4. Reasons for people leaving detention
There was a continuing decline in the proportion of detainees being returned or voluntarily departing the UK on leaving detention, from the most recent peak in the year ending March 2011 of 64% to 44% in year ending June 2016. Conversely, there was an increase in the proportion of detainees granted TA/TR, from 28% to 45%, and an increase in the proportion of detainees granted bail, from 6% to 10%, over the same period.
Reasons for people leaving detention (%)
Chart notes
Source: Home Office, Immigration Statistics April to June 2016, Detention tables dt 05 q.
Granted LTE/LTR (leave to enter / leave to remain); Granted TA/TR (temporary admission / temporary release).
Returned on leaving detention includes enforced returns, voluntary returns and refused entry at port and subsequently departed.
More detailed information on reasons for leaving detention may be found in the user guide.
5. Length of detention
During year ending June 2016, 32,055 people left detention. Of these, 64% had been in detention for less than 29 days, 18% for between 29 days and two months and 12% for between two and four months. Of the 2,135 (7%) remaining, 231 had been in detention for between one and two years, and 42 for two years or longer.
In the same period, over a third (36%) of people leaving detention had been detained for seven days or less (11,568). Of these, 49% (5,651) were returned; 49% (5,611) were granted TA/TR; and the remaining 3% were bailed (60), granted leave to enter or remain (49), or released for other reasons (197). Of the 273 detained for 12 months or more, 36% were returned, 34% were bailed and 26% were granted TA/TR.
As at 30 June 2016, the longest length of time a person had been currently detained for was 1,156 days.
6. Children in detention
The number of children entering detention in year ending June 2016 was 117, 31% lower than the previous year (169). This was a 90% fall compared with the beginning of the data series in 2009 (1,119).
Of the 119 children leaving detention in year ending June 2016, 36 were returned from the UK and 78 were granted TA/TR. Of those leaving detention, 104 had been detained for seven days or less, four for between 8 and 14 days, five for between 15 and 28 days, two for between 29 days and 2 months, and four for over 2 months. There were no children in detention as at 30 June 2016.
Children entering detention, solely under Immigration Act powers
Chart notes
Source: Home Office, Immigration Statistics April to June 2016, Detention table dt 02 q.
7. Immigration detainees in prisons
As at 27 June 2016, there were 427 detainees held in prison establishments in England and Wales solely under immigration powers as set out in the Immigration Act 1971 or UK Borders Act 2007.
8. Data tables
Further data are available in Detention tables dt 01 to dt 14 q.
9. Background information
The figures in this topic brief relate to the number of people entering, leaving or in detention, solely under Immigration Act powers, at immigration removal centres (IRCs), short-term holding facilities (STHFs) and pre-departure accommodation (PDA).
9.1 Migration Transparency Data webpage
A range of key input and impact indicators are currently published by the Home Office on the Migration transparency data webpage.