Short-term holding facilities are places either used solely for the detention of immigration detainees for a period of not more than seven days (or, in the case of a holding room, for a period of not more than 24 hours unless a longer period is authorised) or used for the detention of immigration detainees for not more than seven days or for such other period as may be prescribed and for other persons for any period. These Rules make provision for the regulation and management of short-term holding facilities, including the treatment of detained persons and the conduct and duties of officers in the facility. The Rules provide for matters such as the admission and discharge of detained persons, their welfare, food, clothing, accommodation, recreation and religious observance, correspondence, visits, health care and any complaints they may wish to make, as well as the use of security measures such as powers of search.

The Rules also extend to short-term holding facilities provisions of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 relating to the detention of immigration detainees.

A full regulatory impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no impact on the private or voluntary sectors is foreseen.