To ask Her Majesty's Government whether migrants detained in HM Prison The Verne from
24 March will have access to (1) Rule 35 procedures to determine whether their health
would be damaged by detention, for example, due to a history of torture, (2) mobile
telephones and the internet, (3) the ability to receive telephone calls from solicitors,
family and friends, and (4) on-site legal advice surgeries; and if not, why not.
<p> </p><p> </p><p>HM Prison The Verne started taking immigration detainees as scheduled
from 24 March 2014. The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) will retain The
Verne as a prison in the short term. Its designation as a prison will be reviewed
later this year, with the intention of completing the re-designation to an immigration
removal centre by the end of September 2014.</p><p> </p><p>While The Verne retains
its designation as a prison it will be governed by Prison Rules rather than Detention
Centre Rules. As The Verne is not governed by Detention Centre Rules, Rule 35 of those
rules is not applicable.</p><p> </p><p>Detainees held at The Verne will be treated
in the same way as other detainees held within the prison estate. As such they will
not have access to mobile telephones or the internet, nor will they be able to receive
telephone calls. They will, however, be able to make telephone calls and will have
access to both social and legal visits.</p><p> </p><p>There is a dedicated Home Office
Immigration Enforcement Team on site who will see detainees routinely on induction
and upon request. In addition, independent immigration advice will be provided by
Migrant Help.</p>
