sometimes rather difficult. It would be ideal if those facing forced retum are removed from the Centres some days before their planned departure. During this time ideally a case worker or a social worker is assigned with those earmarked for retum and would help these detainees air their difficulties and prepare them to face their forced retum. The Board acknowledges that security plays an important role in any establishment of detention. However, the Board would like to see more emphasis on the welfare of detainees. The Board Members would like to see a more enterprising and pro-active Administration whereby detainees are not seen only as numbers, who have to be detained for generally (18) months before release. (Ideally the detainees do not have to stay in detention for such a long time). Undocumented migrants need to be seen as persons who have gone through a bad time to come to this point and so require all the help they can get to be able to integrate in any future society. If taken seriously 18 months is a long time and detainees, through various programmes, can be adequately prepared to face a future which could be better than their past. Mary Anne Agius Chairperson, Board of Visitors for Detained Persons Januaty 2015 15 i