History
The Cambridge Bail Circlewas started in 2004 by a group of of local volunteers who objected to the Government’s policy of locking up asylum seekers who have committed no crime while their applications for asylum are being considered.
The organisation aimed to provide information and advice to Cambridgeshire residents on how to become a ‘bail surety’ – someone who promises to surrender an amount of money to the Immigration Court if the asylum seeker fails to comply with the conditions of their release from detention.
“Becoming a bail surety is a practical way in which Cambridgeshire residents can help demonstrate their abhorrence of the government’s policy of locking up people who are fleeing persecution behind razor wire in the midst of our community” said a representative from the group. “We are working closely with lawyers at the detention centre to identify those with a good case for release. We provide training and information for would-be sureties so that they are aware of the responsibilities and duties they are taking on if they decide to stand. We will facilitate a visit to the detainee at the Oakington centre by the would-be surety and provide an interpreter where necessary to assist with communication. Being a surety means going to the Immigration court with the detainee and demonstrating your willingness to the judge to hand over an agreed amount of money should the individual who you are trying to get released fail to turn up for their court hearing or otherwise fail to comply with a condition of their release. The experience of the London Bail Circle is that very few released asylum seekers fail to comply with conditions so the risk to the surety is not that great. It is a wonderful present to be able to give someone their freedom -especially when they have done no wrong to deserve being detained in the first place.”
Anna Jones, a Cambridge resident trained by the bail circle, had her first experience of standing as a surety earlier this week: "Becoming a member of the bail circle and standing as a surety has meant I’ve been able to do something incredibly concrete for refugees at Oakington. I’m supporting a young woman and her little girl. They came to Britain to find sanctuary after escaping truly horrendous circumstances. Instead, they have found themselves at the mercy of the British asylum system and are locked-up as if they are criminals. By standing as a surety I will hopefully give them the chance to get out of this prison. By standing as a surety, a lovely little girl might soon be at school and playing in the park, instead of being shut away and surrounded by razor wire. I recommend to anyone, if they have a little time to spare, to think about becoming a surety. This has been one of the most important and valuable things I have ever done."
Today, the Oakington camp contains only male asylum seekers, so CBC has widened its remit to include cases from Yarl's Wood Bedfordshire, where women and families are locked up.
