A campaign group is holding a public meeting to discuss concerns around immigration detention.

The Verne Visitors Group is will meet on Monday, February 12 at 7.30pm in Dorchester’s Corn Exchange.

It was announced in October last year that the The Verne Immigration Removal Centre was to change its function back to a Category C male adult prison.

The centre was originally a prison until 2014, and was closed as an immigration removal centre on New Years Eve last year.

However the impact of an immigration detention without a time limit continues to affect thousands.

The Mayor of Dorchester, Councillor Susie Hosford will open the meeting.

Cllr Hosford said: “I’m so pleased to be supporting this meeting- it is important everyone knows what is being done in their name and the misery it is causing.”

Green Party councillor Dr Jon Orrell will talk about the recent British Medical Association’s report on the health consequences of indefinite detention.

The other speaker will be Dan Goodall from the University of Bristol, author a recent report, ‘Don’t dump me in a foreign land’.

A group member said: “It was standing room only in the Town Hall last year when Giles Fraser spoke on his topic.

“He was surprised and delighted to see the interest and concern of the people of Dorset.

“With two more great speakers, we are hoping for similar interest this year.”

Members of the group have visited over 300 men held in detention in The Verne over the past three years.

Group chair, Charles Campion-Smith, said: “Even though The Verne has now closed as an immigration removal centre, asylum seekers and others continue to be held unjustly in 10 detention centres across the UK.

“Even for those released on bail, the problems are not over; they are not allowed to work and are given a meagre allowances on which to survive.”

“They have to report regularly to a nominated police or home office station- often miles away from where they are living.

“These are amongst the most vulnerable members of society and our country’s treatment of them can only worsen the effect of the trauma many of them have already suffered.”

The meeting will also include the voices of some of those who have sought refuge in the UK, through readings to be given by Mayor Susie Hosford and a short film on people’s experience of detention and its effects.

The meeting is open to all and there will be no charge for attendance.

Organiser Ruth Jacobson said: “Whatever people’s political view, we think it is important that we are all aware of what is being done in our name.

“This meeting is part of a wider ‘Behind and Beyond the Walls’ campaign to raise public awareness among the people of Dorset about these issues.”

To find out more information, visit vernevisitors.org.ok or call 07931 489248.