PRISON staff who stayed on to look after asylum seekers detained at the Immigration Removal Centre on Dover’s Western Heights have been told they could lose their jobs in the next six months.

The staff, who were praised in a report earlier this year for the way they had adapted to the new regime and forged new relationships with those detained there, were given the shock news the day after six men escaped from the centre.

It is understood that hacksaws had been smuggled into the complex, and seven men used them to cut through bars. Six of them managed to clamber down into a moat, them climb out the other side and escape. The seventh suffered a hand injury, and had to abandon his bid for freedom.

The centre is used to accommodate men of various nationalities whose applications for asylum have been turned down. They are held there while they await deportation.

Many are desperate to stay in this country, and fear persecution, torture or even death if they are sent back home. Staff are always on the watch for detainees attempting suicide.

A Home Office spokesman confirmed that the escape had taken place at 7.30pm on Thursday, September 4, and revealed that those who got away were an Algerian, two Russians, two Belarussians and one man from Moldova.

“Police were called in and the prison service will conduct an investigation,” said the spokesman.

Meanwhile, staff are said to be shocked and upset that their jobs are to go, probably by March next year, when the responsibility for running the centre is passed over to the Immigration Service.

Contractors are expected to be appointed with a contract manager replacing the role of governor. Although March is the target date, it is expected it might take a while for the new set-up to become fully-operational, but it is due to be established by the end of 2004.

It is seen as a kick in the teeth to the prison officers who - despite being given little information originally about what was happening - accepted the challenge of changing the regime from a Young Offenders’ Institution to an Immigration Removal Centre catering for men of many different nationalities and backgrounds.

After dealing with young offenders who were being detained for punishment and rehabilitation, they had to adapt to keeping the new detainees securely, but in a more relaxed environment, as they waited to be sent back to their home countries.

Confirmation of the change from Prison to Immigration Service, and more details of exactly what is envisaged, are still being awaited from the Home Office.