Prison
Cat STHF
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
North and Midlands STHF
IMB Annual Report 2020 · Published 7 May 2021
The North & Midlands STHF IMB report for 2020 highlights the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its monitoring activities, leading to remote oversight. The Board notes humane treatment by DCOs and the introduction of translation devices. Key concerns include the increasing length of detentions in reporting centre holding rooms which are unsuitable for long stays, the persistent issue of detainees lacking access to prescribed medication, and bureaucratic hurdles for IMB members to access airside facilities.
Positive Findings
The Board commends Care & Custody DCOs for treating detainees humanely, with consideration, courtesy, and professionalism. Translation devices have been introduced across all holding room locations, improving communication. Specific facilities note efforts to make rooms more welcoming, such as colourful posters and child-friendly amenities, and cleanliness. Safety improvements, such as the fail-safe escort door in Leeds, are also noted.
Key Concerns
Regime/Time Out of Cell
The Board is concerned at the continuing trend of longer and later detentions at holding rooms in reporting centres. Such holding rooms have shown a 69.4% decrease in occupancy during 2020 across the North & Midlands (see section 4.3.1.1), but the average length of detention in these holding rooms has steadily increased, from 3 hours 51 minutes in the first half of 2016 to 5 hours 32 minutes in the second half of 2020, with one such detention during 2018 lasting 11 hours 25 minutes (see section 4.3.1.2); 11.4% of the detentions in 2020 were over 8 hours (compared with 3.3% in 2016 and 9.2% in 2019); and 31.5% of the detentions extended beyond the scheduled closing time of the holding rooms in 2020, compared with 28.6% in 2019. For many detainees, these longer detentions and later departures result in late arrivals at an IRC, when facilities such as the main kitchens would then likely be closed. These holding rooms in reporting centres tend to be small rooms with very limited facilities, which the Board considers are not fit for long stays, other than waiting no more than a few hours for onward escort to an IRC. The Board therefore considers the continuing trend to be detrimental to detainees’ welfare and seeks assurance from the minister that the length of such detentions will be kept under review by HOIE, that consideration will be given to reducing the 8-hour contractual time allowance for collection of detainees from reporting centre holding rooms, and also to making improvements to such holding rooms commensurate with their longer usage.
Healthcare
Repeated
For the third year in succession, the Board repeats its concern at the lack of proper procedures which would allow DCOs or other qualified personnel to provide detainees with access to their prescribed medication. The Board continues to note that detainee welfare has been adversely affected by this situation. This occurs particularly in holding rooms and reporting centres. The Board understands that a process has begun to address this issue, but is disappointed as to the amount of time that is being taken to solve this problem.
Other
The Board, while in discussions with the Home Office and the Secretariat regarding the issuance of airside passes for access to airports within our area, understands that the CAA has issued a directive nominating the IMB as a compliance authority which will allow the Secretariat to process those applications. Due to the bureaucracy within each airport’s management system regarding the issuance of airside passes, the Secretariat has had to revert to requesting sponsorship from UKBF - a situation the Board was in two years ago. A national solution needs to be found and the Board therefore urges the Minister to use their influence in expediting this matter.
Other
The Board remains under-strength regarding the number of active members. A recruitment campaign was commenced in the fourth quarter of 2020, which resulted in applications for Manchester, Leeds, and Sheffield but none for Holyhead. The Board seeks assurance from the minister that those recommended will be appointed without delay.
Other
The COVID-19 outbreak had a significant impact on the Board’s ability to gather information and conduct monitoring. The Board remains concerned that while monitoring remotely, it is unable to speak to detainees or observe the physical conditions in the facilities, resulting in less detail and supporting evidence than usual.
Board Commentary
Staffing
DCO staffing levels vary by site, typically ranging from two to four DCOs per shift, usually with a gender mix. Staff are often deployed from other facilities when busy, highlighting the sporadic nature of demand. The Board also noted that some DCO office spaces are very restrictive, limiting free space for duties like searches. The IMB itself is under-strength, with a recruitment campaign initiated in late 2020.
Healthcare
The Board has consistently raised concerns over the past three years regarding the denial of access to prescribed medication for detainees, particularly in holding rooms and reporting centres. This lack of proper procedures is noted to adversely affect detainee welfare, and while a solution is reportedly in progress, the Board is disappointed by the slow pace of its implementation.
Regime & Daily Life
The Board expresses concern over the increasing length and lateness of detentions in reporting centre holding rooms. The average detention length has risen, with a significant percentage now exceeding eight hours and extending beyond scheduled closing times. The Board notes that these small rooms have limited facilities, rendering them unsuitable for prolonged stays and potentially leading to detainees arriving at IRCs after main facilities are closed.
Recommendations (4)
Ministry of Justice: 3
Home Office: 1
1 repeated
Recommendation 1
The Board therefore considers the continuing trend to be detrimental to detainees’ welfare and seeks assurance from the minister that the length of such detentions will be kept under review by HOIE, that consideration will be given to reducing the 8-hour contractual time allowance for collection of detainees from reporting centre holding rooms, and also to making improvements to such holding rooms commensurate with their longer usage.
Ministry of Justice
Regime
Recommendation 2
Repeated
For the third year in succession, the Board repeats its concern at the lack of proper procedures which would allow DCOs or other qualified personnel to provide detainees with access to their prescribed medication. The Board continues to note that detainee welfare has been adversely affected by this situation. This occurs particularly in holding rooms and reporting centres. The Board understands that a process has begun to address this issue, but is disappointed as to the amount of time that is being taken to solve this problem.
Home Office
Healthcare
Recommendation 3
The Board, while in discussions with the Home Office and the Secretariat regarding the issuance of airside passes for access to airports within our area, understands that the CAA has issued a directive nominating the IMB as a compliance authority which will allow the Secretariat to process those applications. Due to the bureaucracy within each airport’s management system regarding the issuance of airside passes, the Secretariat has had to revert to requesting sponsorship from UKBF - a situation the Board was in two years ago. A national solution needs to be found and the Board therefore urges the Minister to use their influence in expediting this matter.
Ministry of Justice
Other
Recommendation 4
The Board instigated a recruitment campaign, and upon completion has recommended six candidates for appointment. The Board seeks assurance from the minister that those recommended will be appointed without delay.
Ministry of Justice
Other