IRC
Cat IRC
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
Dungavel House IRC
IMB Annual Report 2022 · Published 1 December 2023
Dungavel House IRC maintained a safe and humane environment in 2022, with sufficient staffing and a positive staff-detainee relationship fostering a relaxed regime. While healthcare provision was good and significant efforts were made for purposeful activity, concerns persist regarding the uncertainty of detainees' futures and the need for improved roof access prevention. Repeated recommendations, such as staff negotiation training and CSU temperature control, remain ongoing issues.
Positive Findings
The Board is satisfied that Dungavel House IRC provides a safe, fair, and humane environment for detainees, with sufficient staff and no overcrowding. Staff are commended for their caring attitude and mutual respect with residents, who generally feel safe and appreciate the open regime. Healthcare provision is good, and the Independent Learning Centre is well-utilised, fostering positive staff-resident relationships.
Key Concerns
Other
Residents’ main concerns relate to the uncertainty of their futures.
Estate/Conditions
Repeated
the temperature in the care and separation unit was found on occasion to have been too high.
Other
Some of the literature in the multifaith area has been questionable, being more political than religious in nature. Whilst there has been nothing directly inflammatory, materials which concern mainly political matters should not be displayed in this area.
Safety
Repeated
consideration should be given to installing robust preventative measures to ensure that roofs are not accessible to detained persons.
Staffing
Repeated
Some staff should be trained in negotiation techniques, as per our previous recommendation.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Admissions arrive at any time, day or night. Detainees often arrive very late at night from Edinburgh airport only to be taken back there early in the morning for assessment. This seems unnecessarily inconvenient to the persons concerned.
Estate/Conditions
Repeated
Plans are in place with the facilities manager to expand the current parking area. The project is still in the planning phase and has not yet broken ground.
Board Commentary
Staffing
Staffing levels at Dungavel remained stable, starting with 145 and ending with 143 personnel, despite 29 new recruits and 31 departures. The Board is satisfied that there is a sufficient number of staff, contributing to a safe and unovercrowded environment. However, training in negotiation techniques, a repeated recommendation from the previous year, is still in progress.
Healthcare
Healthcare services, subcontracted to Med-Co, are generally good, with a nursing team providing 24-hour cover and a GP attending daily. A comprehensive mental health team, including a psychiatrist and mental health nurses, addresses detainee needs, alongside access to dental and optical care. All arrivals receive a health assessment within two hours and can see a doctor within 24 hours. There were five self-harm incidents and three Section 136 MHA cases during the year, and no waiting list for Rule 35 assessments.
Regime & Daily Life
Dungavel operates a safe, open, and relaxed regime, with residential units open for free association from 6:45 am to 9:45 pm daily. Room sharing was reintroduced in 2022 following the easing of Covid restrictions, and association rooms were refurbished. Detainees have continuous access to kitchen and laundry facilities, and the Independent Learning Centre and gymnasium are available for extended hours, including weekends, promoting purposeful activity.
Recommendations (4)
Governor / Director: 4
3 repeated
Recommendation 1
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
As has been mentioned in previous reports, consideration should be given to installing robust preventative measures to ensure that roofs are not accessible to detained persons. This would help towards the safety of residents and staff.
Governor / Director
Safety
Recommendation 2
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
Some staff should be trained in negotiation techniques, as per our previous recommendation.
Governor / Director
Staffing
Recommendation 3
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
During 2022 the temperature in the care and separation unit was found on occasion to have been too high. This area is already austere and relatively uncomfortable (it is impossible to look out of a window and there is no desk in any of the four cells, to give just two examples) so it is important to keep the temperature at a reasonable level.
Governor / Director
Estate
Recommendation 4
Some of the literature in the multifaith area has been questionable, being more political than religious in nature. Whilst there has been nothing directly inflammatory, materials which concern mainly political matters should not be displayed in this area.
Governor / Director
Other
Other IMB Reports for Dungavel House IRC
HMIP Inspections
Recent inspections by HM Inspectorate of Prisons for this establishment.
18 Aug 2025
Unannounced
Safety: 4
Respect: 4
Activity: 3
Release: 4
19 Jul 2021
Unannounced
Safety: 3
Respect: 3
Activity: 3
Release: 3