Mr Bhogal added that the asylum seekers wanted to make a contribution to society, rather than being a drain. They could be making a contribution to the economy, rather they being a drain on the economy and the taxpayer and being looked after in a prison. The Northern Ireland Prison Service has insisted the foreign nationals are in a more liberal regime than either sentenced or remand prisoners. The Home Office has also defended its position. It has been necessary to detain these people in prisons in Northern Ireland because the Immigration Service has no dedicated detention centres there.
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