Grant: Operating Grant

Asylum seekers fleeing persecution may be detained upon arrival in Canada, usually because of inadequate identity documents, although over 99% have no criminal record. Many are survivors of torture, rape or other violence and may suffer from PTSD, depression or similar problems. Pregnant women and parents with young children are often detained. Immigration holding centres (IHCs) are operated as medium-security prisons but with fewer services. There is no systematic mental health screening and no social worker or mental health professional on site. Detainees who need specialized care are shackled (hands and feet) while in the hospital or clinic. For persons without any criminal record, often survivors of violence, detention is in many cases very traumatic. Although many will later be accepted as refugees, there are often long-term adverse effects both in terms of mental health and social integration. The study will document the mental and psychosocial status of detained adult asylum seekers through questionnaires and interviews. We will also compare their status to that of a matched group of non-detained adult asylum seekers. Finally, we will document the overall situation of detained asylum seekers through analysis of documents and discussions with service providers.