The UK government has contracted Galliford Try for a £101.5 million revamp of Haslar Immigration Removal Centre.
- Originally constructed as a prison, Haslar IRC was repurposed to hold immigrants until its closure in 2015 due to reported structural issues.
- A Home Office report highlighted the need for significant improvements at Haslar to meet current immigration enforcement needs.
- The decision to reopen the centre has sparked controversy, with opposition from multiple MPs and campaigners citing past issues.
- The Home Office asserts that reopening will strengthen immigration enforcement and adherence to UK immigration laws.
The UK government has appointed Galliford Try for a substantial £101.5 million refurbishment of the Haslar Immigration Removal Centre located near Portsmouth. The decision marks a significant move to enhance the nation’s capacity to manage immigration controls. Originally, Haslar IRC served as a prison before its conversion into an immigration centre, tasked with accommodating individuals accused of entering or residing in the UK unlawfully, until it was shuttered in 2015.
Reports preceding its closure, such as that from Nick Hardwick, the chief inspector of prisons in 2014, described the facility’s housing as ‘old and worn,’ citing essential structural repairs as a prerequisite for any potential reoperation. In August, the Labour government reiterated a proposal initially set forth by its Conservative predecessor regarding the reopening. The initiative forms part of a broader strategy to bolster immigration removal capabilities by also refurbishing other sites such as Campsfield House IRC in Kidlington.
According to a publication by the Home Office, Galliford Try will undertake comprehensive operational, management, and maintenance roles for Haslar’s revitalisation. This venture is critical in addressing infrastructural inadequacies, ensuring that the centre can meet contemporary operational standards.
Nevertheless, the plan to reactivate Haslar IRC has encountered substantial opposition. Critically, 25 MPs across five different parties supported a motion in the House of Commons advocating for the centre’s permanent closure. Additionally, local campaigners and organisations such as the Association of Visitors to Immigration Detainees have voiced profound concerns. They argue that reopening the facility disregards its problematic history characterised by reports of maltreatment and substandard living conditions, with assertions of its past contributing to ‘mental torture’ for its occupants.
Despite these contentions, the Home Office maintains that expanding detention capacities through Haslar IRC’s redevelopment is essential. A spokesperson emphasised that immigration removal centres are pivotal to maintaining border control efficacy, aiding in the enforcement of immigration laws, and facilitating the deportation of individuals residing unlawfully within the country.
The refurbishment of Haslar IRC by Galliford Try highlights a contentious yet strategic effort by the government to augment its immigration control framework.
