WIREDGOV

Serco Ltd has been re-appointed by the Home Office to operate, maintain and manage Yarl’s Wood IRC for a further eight years.

Serco Ltd will care for up to 410 immigration detainees at the Bedfordshire site, continuing to be responsible for the operational management of custody services, detainee welfare and recreational activities.

Serco is the current contractor for Yarl’s Wood IRC first appointed to manage the centre in 2007. The new contract valued at £70million over eight years, will start on 26 April 2015 when the existing contract term expires.

The Home Office is committed to making sure all detainees in its care are treated with dignity and respect at all times in an estate of modern, secure, well maintained and managed centres.

A Home Office spokesperson said:

Serco Ltd will continue to manage Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre on behalf of the Home Office after emerging as the preferred contractor following a comprehensive retendering process.

Serco’s bid demonstrated that its offer was the best in meeting quality and cost criteria and providing value for money for the taxpayer.

Yarl’s Wood IRC is a fully contained residential centre housing adult women and adult family groups.