GITNUX MARKETDATA REPORT 2024

Detention Duration Statistics

Detention duration statistics provide insights into the typical amount of time individuals are held in custody before being released or charged.

Last Updated: June 23, 2024

Written & Summarized by: Jannik Lindner

How we write

In this post, we explore the durations of detention for individuals in immigration systems across various countries, shedding light on the stark differences in average detention periods and the variation in lengthy stays. From the relatively short average of 8 days for children in the U.S. to the staggering 564 days for asylum seekers in Australia, these statistics offer a glimpse into the harsh realities of immigration detention worldwide.

Statistic 1

"The median duration of detention for children in the U.S. immigration system was 8 days according to a 2019 study."

Statistic 2

"Between 2016 and 2018, the average detention duration grew from 44.1 to 57.6 days."

Statistic 3

"In Australia, the average duration of detention for asylum seekers is 564 days."

Statistic 4

"In the UK, the average number of days a person spent in immigration detention in 2020 was 28.1 days."

Statistic 5

"5% of people detained for immigration reasons in the U.S. have been there for more than a year."

Statistic 6

"In 2018, the longest detention recorded in the U.S. was 6.4 years."

Statistic 7

"According to the 2018 OIG report, the average number of days ICE incarcerated immigrants before removal was 37.5 days."

Statistic 8

"Roughly half of the people detained for immigration reasons in the UK in 2019 were held for less than a month."

Statistic 9

"According to 2019 data, 31% of people in ICE detention had been there for over 60 days."

Statistic 10

"In 2019, ICE held detainees for an average of 55.3 days."

Statistic 11

"In Canada, the average length of detention time is 20 days."

Statistic 12

"In 2017, the majority (60%) of detainees in Australia were detained between 0-12 months."

Statistic 13

"In the first quarter of 2019, average detention duration in Sweden ranged from 29 to 33 days."

Statistic 14

"In 2016, 13% of detainees in U.S. had been in detention for 180 days or more."

Statistic 15

"According to 2018 data, 37% of total detainees in European Union had been detained for less than 2 months."

In summary, the statistics on detention duration for individuals in various countries highlight the significant variability in immigration detention practices globally. The data reveal striking differences in detention lengths, ranging from a median of 8 days for children in the U.S. to an average of 564 days for asylum seekers in Australia. The statistics also expose concerning trends, such as the increasing average detention duration in the U.S. from 44.1 to 57.6 days between 2016 and 2018. The presence of individuals held in detention for extensive periods, such as the case of the longest recorded detention lasting 6.4 years in the U.S., underscores the complex and often protracted nature of immigration detention systems across different countries.

Jannik Lindner

Jannik is the Co-Founder of Gitnux and has been working in the digital space since 2016. He is specialized in content and tech.

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