Apprehension and Detention - Bahamas Immigration Department
What is Immigration Detention?
This is the policy of holding individuals suspected of visa violations, or any other breech of the Immigration Act, in detention until a decision is made by Immigration authorities to grant a visa and release them into the community, or to repatriate them to their country of departure.
What is Mandatory Detention?
This is the practice of compulsory detention of people seeking political asylum, or who are considered to be illegal immigrants or unauthorized arrivals into the country.
While there may be widespread debate on the whole concept of detention, through its Detention Centre, the Department of Immigration maintains its stance that its Centre is not a prison, but fundamentally acts as a holding facility for individuals who are found in contravention of the Immigration Rules and Regulations. This is in keeping with international agreements like Amnesty International.
Persons detained at the Detention Centre for breaches of the Immigration Act will not be released from custody without a Release or Surrender Order being issued.
Today, the Detention Centre, facilitates those detainees with:
- Pending court cases – when charged with Immigration Act infractions
- Status validity/updates – often in the form of delinquent permit payments and investigation
- Repatriation – taken to their country of origin
Visiting hours at the Detention Centre are Tuesdays and Friday, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Please note that visitors must bring valid government issued photo identification. In cases where visitors do not have any valid permit issued by the Department, persons should be mindful that only original documents will be accepted.
The following items are not allowed during visitation:
- Glass
- Metals
- Sharp objects
- Lighters
- Drugs and contraband
- Money
The Detention Centre may be contacted at:
Tel. (242) 341-5223, 361-4582(3)
Fax. (242 341-5224