A detention unit will be established in Heikinharju in connection with the Oulu reception centre. The aim is to have the facilities in use in the summer of 2019. The unit will have 30 beds.
The Oulu detention unit is being established because more beds are needed in detention units. At the moment, Finland has two detention units; one is 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 entry 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 Border Guard makes the decisions on detention. The Finnish Immigration Service is responsible for the practical operations, monitoring and steering of the units.
Further information for the media
Janne Similä, Director (substitute) of Oulu reception centre, tel. +358 295 430 431, e-mail: firstname.lastname@migri.fi
