Serco have been given an eight-year contract to run the centre
|
A new company is to take over the running of the UK's largest immigration removal centre.
Serco Group Plc has taken over the contract from GSL to manage Yarl's Wood immigration centre, near Bedford, on behalf of the Home Office.
The �85m contract will start in April and run for up to eight years.
A 2006 report by the chief inspector of prisons highlighted a number of failures in healthcare provided at the asylum centre.
Christopher Hyman, chief executive of Serco, said: "The win is testament to the high quality of service we already provide at Colnbrook Immigration Removal Centre and recognises our ability to care for a wide range of detainees. "
Damaged by fire
The centre was built to house 405 detainees, including failed asylum seekers and their families.
It opened in November 2001 but was damaged three months later by fire following a riot and several detainees escaped.
The undamaged half of the building re-opened in September 2003.
One-Minute World News
News services
E-mail this to a friend
Printable version
