Refugee detention unit to be set up in Oulu

A 30-bed detention unit for asylum seekers will be established in Heikinharju in connection with the Oulu reception centre, according to a press release issued by the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri).

The unit will be ready by the summer of 2019.

The Oulu detention unit is being established because more beds are needed in detention units. At the moment, Finland has two detention units – one in Helsinki and the other is connected to the Joutseno reception centre in Konnunsuo. These centres have a total of 109 beds.

A foreign national can be detained at a closed detention unit if, for example, it is expected that he or she will go into hiding to avoid being refused asylum or deported. He or she can also be detained if detention is necessary to look into an unclear identity or travel route.

The police or the Border Guard makes the decisions on detention.

Migri is responsible for the practical operations, monitoring, and steering of the units.