The report has found that lack of legal representation continues to be high, with 75% of respondents not having legal representation for their immigration case. Access to timely immigration advice is vital for individuals held under immigration powers in prisons, as it can help challenge deportation orders. 

The introduction of the 2022 Nationality and Borders Bill and the 2023 Illegal Migration Act has ensured that the stakes of access to immigration legal advice for people detained in prisons have never been higher. 

The research adds to the large body of criticism from expert bodies, independent inspectorates and international human rights organisations that have criticised the use of prisons, which after all, are designed for the purpose of punishment and not for the purely administrative reasons which is the purpose of immigration powers authorising the use of detention. 

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Bail for Immigration Detainees (BID) is a registered Charity No. 1077187. Registered in England as a Limited Company No. 03803669. Accredited by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner Ref. No. N200100147. We are a member of the Fundraising Regulator, committed to best practice in fundraising and follow the standards for fundraising as set out in the Code of Fundraising Practice.
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