Many countries continue to detain migrant, asylum seeker and refugee children, including in closed refugee camps, alongside convicted criminals in jails and in immigration detention centres. Despite a substantial body of international research documenting the psychological harm to children in detention, the incarceration of children in immigration detention is a little discussed policy and human rights issue.
The use of detention as a means of immigration control is increasing throughout the world. This research aims to identify and describe examples of community-basedalternatives to immigration detention which may include legislation, policy or practice that allows for asylum seekers, refugees and migrants to reside in the community with freedom of movement while their migration status is being resolved or while awaiting deportation or removal proceedings. A practical tool (guidebook) describing current community-based alternatives to immigration detention will be produced for use in advocacy and to stimulate policy debate.
