Dover Immigration Removal Centre
| Location | Dover, Kent |
|---|---|
| Security class | Immigration Removal Centre |
| Population | 316 (as of September 2009) |
| Managed by | HM Prison Services |
| Governor | Andy Bell |
| Website | Dover Immigration Removal Centre at justice.gov.uk |
Dover Immigration Removal Centre (formerly known as Dover Prison) is an immigration detention centre, located in the historic citadel of the Western Heights fortifications in Dover, England. The centre is operated by Her Majesty's Prison Service. Dover has been designated as an historic site by English Heritage.
History
The Western Heights of Dover are one of the most impressive fortifications in Britain. They comprise a series of forts, strong points and ditches, designed to protect the country from invasion. They were created to augment the existing defences and protect the key port of Dover from both seaward and landward attack. There have been fortifications here since Roman times, but fortifications built for defense from the French in the days of Napoleon house the buildings there today.
The Prison Service took over the site from the British Army in 1952 when work began on converting the fortress into a prison. In 1957, the prison was converted into a Borstal, also operating as a Young Offenders Institution until April 2002, when Detention Centre Rules 2001 converted it into an Immigration Removal Centre.
The centre today
Hosting male adult detainees aged 18 and over who are appealing for asylum or have failed in seeking it, Dover offers residential space with integral sanitation as well as resources such as televisions and telephones. It provides shared resources including gym, a library, church, mosques, multi-faith rooms, shops, laundry facilities, and a healthcare unit