The Ministry of Justice has today announced that the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) will not be reopening the former Haslar Immigration Removal Centre (IRC) as a prison, the site will be fully decommissioned. Following the Home Office's decision to no longer use Haslar as an IRC, NOMS had considered finding a new role for the establishment in the future.
This announcement forms part of the Government's reforms to the prison estate to make it safer and more efficient, while building an additional 10,000 places across the country. This requires the closure of establishments which do not have a long-term future in the estate.
The Government feels the former Haslar IRC site would not be efficient to operate as a prison due to its structural layout. However, set in over 60 acres of parkland, with many Georgian Grade II listed buildings and a prime seafront location, it is an attractive site for commercial investment.
Local MP, Caroline Dinenage, has today written to all former Haslar IRC staff that have contacted her to inform them of the announcement. Commenting, she said:
"After nearly 2 years of uncertainty it's a relief to finally know the fate of Haslar IRC. The great waterfront location has the potential to attract economic investment into Gosport and it's been frustrating to see the site in mothballs for so long. My main concern is the implications for staff and, although the minister has said that redundancies are not expected, I have asked him for clear assurances about their future."
The Government has stressed that the decision to fully decommission the Haslar site is not a reflection of the dedication and professionalism of the staff who worked there. The Government also recognised that the length of time in detached duty employment has been extremely difficult for staff but it hopes that providing clarity on Haslar's long-term future will allow staff to progress with their careers.