PSO 4630 - Inside Time

PSO 4630 Page 50full details of why the prisoner feels he cannot return to his own country. Such applicationsmust then be considered by a caseworker and if refused may lead to a right of appealbefore removal. For this reason, we encourage prisoners to make any applications theywish to be considered at the earliest possible moment, but we cannot force them to do so.Sometimes representations are made to the Border and Immigration Agency by solicitors oran MP concerning the case; we always try to resolve these matters in time for the removal,but occasionally we may have to defer the removal whilst the matter is resolved.3. Availability of flightsMost immigration removals take place on scheduled flights, which have to be booked inadvance. Where an airline or shipping company which brought the person to the UK can beidentified, the legislation allows the Border and Immigration Agency to require that carrier toarrange for the person‟s removal at their own cost. There can therefore be a slight delaywhilst flights are being booked and details passed back to the Border and ImmigrationAgency. In other cases, removal may be at public expense. In either case, however, airlinesrestrict the number of immigration removals it will allow on each flight and in many casesthis is a maximum of two or one if escorted. Busy periods of the year, particularly aroundChristmas and Easter, can restrict the number of seats available even further.In some instances, the Border and Immigration Agency may charter a flight, particularly ondifficult routes or when a prisoner proves particularly difficult to remove, but this involveslong negotiations with the receiving country to allow us to charter such a flight.Enforcement of the RemovalOnce removal directions have been set, the prisoner or detainee will be notified of the flight details.Notification is also sent to the Immigration Service‟s Detention Estate and Population ManagementUnit (DEPMU) who will arrange for the subject to be collected from the prison and taken to theairport for the flight. The subject is taken straight to the aircraft and placed aboard. Where flightsdepart early in the morning, the detainee is normally taken to an Immigration Service RemovalCentre if considered a low-risk, or to police cells close to the airport.Those subjects who are considered to have a special need or who give us good reason to believethey may be disruptive or a threat to other passengers are normally escorted on board during theflight and presented to the immigration authorities of the country to which they are being removed.Issue No 287 Issue date 11/01/08