Prison
Cat IRC
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
South and West short term holding facilities
IMB Annual Report 2026 · Published 29 May 2026
The South and West STHF Board was newly formed in January 2023. Members made a total of 139 monitoring visits (often in pairs) between 1 February 2025 and 31 January 2026. BF provided a monthly data sheet listing all people detained in the STHF. Bristol was the busiest site, with 129 detentions for longer than two hours, and Poole the quietest, with only seven detained individuals.
Positive Findings
As far as we could determine, detained people at all sites were generally well treated. There were some examples of BF staff taking particular care to ensure welfare needs were met. There were many examples of health and wellbeing being prioritised by BF staff. The new suite of documents has much improved the focus on children, for which BF should be commended.
Key Concerns
Regime/Time Out of Cell
We were concerned that some people at Bristol and Cardiff were held for long periods in the CWA, without being transferred to the more comfortable and private STHF.
Healthcare
Repeated
For a second year we were concerned that detained people could not have access to prescribed medication whilst in the STHF. Also, BF officers had inadequate access to health-related support and advice.
Safety
We were again concerned about BF failing to inform us of the use of force either within the agreed timescales or in one case not at all.
Safety
We questioned definitions of vulnerability because of the release of one detained person, a lone woman with no money, no accommodation and limited English.
Healthcare
We remain concerned that decisions about access to medication and nicotine replacement have taken over 12 months.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Although few in number, we were concerned about the additional time in detention, waiting for MITIE Care and Custody to arrive to transfer a detained person.
Board Commentary
Healthcare
The main issues encountered were about medication carried and needed by the detained person. In the STHF, BF were responsible for the person’s welfare and were not medically trained to oversee the taking of medication. They were instructed to contact the on-site medical staff, for instance, Gatwick custody medical team for advice. However, there were limits to the assistance that could be offered without seeing the patient face to face.
Regime & Daily Life
At all ports the facilities for detention are adequate for short periods. The rigid seating, mattresses on the floor and lack of sunlight mean they may be uncomfortable for longer periods and for people with mobility issues.
Recommendations (5)
Home Office: 2
HMPPS: 2
Governor / Director: 1
Recommendation 1
Review and amend Home Office policy to allow detained individuals with pre-existing medical conditions access to their prescription medication with the appropriate level of medical support and advice.
Home Office
Healthcare
Recommendation 2
Inform the IMB when someone is being detained in order to facilitate face-to-face contact and enhance the monitoring process.
HMPPS
Board Activity
Recommendation 3
Share the standards for STHFs with IMBs.
Home Office
Resettlement
Recommendation 4
Include use of force in the monthly data tables.
HMPPS
Safety
Recommendation 5
Ensure that the IMB is informed about any instances of the use of force without delay.
Governor / Director
Safety