Our detention related work is comprised of the following 4 key elements:

JRS Ireland organises training to provide support, information and training for people who visit or work with immigration detainees or who have an interest in immigration-related detention.

JRS has developed a Handbook for visitors and workers in Detention Centres.This handbook can be downloaded from our Resource Centre.

Jesuit Refugee Service (Ireland) and the Mercy Refugee Network jointly organised a Detention Visitor Training Course on Saturday and Sunday, 26

European

JRS Europe has taken a lead role in campaigning against the increased use of detention for asylum seekers and irregular migrants, and against the conditions of their detention.

In 2004, JRS Europe completed a comprehensive research project on administrative detention of asylum seekers and irregular migrants in Europe. The research is documented in three reports. The reports were presented to the 2004 Dutch EU Presidency, the EU Commission and to members of the European Parliament.

The detention research was updated in October 2005 and this report can be downloaded from the Resource Centre.

A dedicated website www.detention-in-europe.org monitors the situation with regard to detention in European Union member states.

National

JRS Ireland challenges the detention of asylum seekers. It is important to remember that non Irish nationals who are detained under immigration legislation are held in prison, alongside sentenced and remand prisoners, even though they have not committed a crime. Eugene Quinn, JRS Ireland National Director, stated:

JRS Ireland challenges the detention of asylum seekers. It is important to remember that non Irish nationals who are detained under immigration legislation are held in prison, alongside sentenced and remand prisoners, even though they have not committed a crime.

Eugene Quinn, JRS Ireland National Director, stated: