Prison
Cat STHF
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
South and West short term holding facilities
IMB Annual Report 2025 · Published 8 July 2025
This IMB report details monitoring of multiple Short-Term Holding Facilities (STHFs) in the South and West region for the year ending January 2025. Key concerns include inconsistent access to detention records, inadequate healthcare arrangements, and persistent facility issues such as heating and hot water, alongside varied provision of hot food. While the Board notes positive engagement from Border Force staff and some improvements in record-keeping, it highlights areas requiring urgent attention to ensure humane treatment and effective oversight of detained individuals.
Positive Findings
The Board acknowledges the swift action by Border Force (BF) staff in addressing issues and prioritising the welfare of detained children. BF staff generally treated passengers with respect and courtesy. There was notable improvement in record-keeping at Bristol Airport due to internal audit. The IMB also noted improved contact with BF, leading to more face-to-face interviews with detained individuals, and some previous concerns regarding hot food provision and staffing levels at Bristol have seen improvements.
Key Concerns
Other
Repeated
The IMB consistently failed to get access to detentions records, primarily at Poole and Cardiff, which made it impossible to monitor effectively. These concerns were raised repeatedly.
Other
Repeated
The IMB received no answers to their questions from July to December 2024, preventing effective monitoring. Prompt answers are still not consistently received.
Safety
Repeated
The lack of Use of Force statistics provided in monthly data sheets prevented effective monitoring of this important area, and the IMB was not notified about one incident.
Estate/Conditions
Repeated
Facility deficiencies, including the absence of heating at Poole, frequent hot water and soap failures at Portsmouth, and inadequate bedding storage at Bristol, compromised health and safety.
Food/Catering
Repeated
The inability to provide hot food and drinks at all sites, and for protracted periods at some (e.g., Portsmouth), was a concern, especially given potentially long detention periods.
Overcrowding
The expansion in passenger numbers at Bristol Airport will impact on the capacity of the detention facilities, and the IMB was not reassured this would be addressed.
Equality/Diversity
Disability Access Reviews in 2023/24 identified deficiencies at all sites, raising concerns about conditions for detained individuals.
Healthcare
Repeated
Arrangements for assessment and treatment of health conditions at all sites are inadequate, with medication often taken away from detained individuals, potentially impacting their health.
Staffing
Repeated
Staffing levels, particularly at Bristol Airport, were sometimes insufficient to allow timely transfers to more comfortable STHFs, though some improvement has been noted.
Safety
Repeated
Children sometimes had to wait a considerable time for Social Services to attend, with the range of waiting times indicating room for improvement.
Other
Repeated
Detention records were often incomplete or inaccurate, with key information missing on occasions, hindering effective monitoring.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Detained people often experienced extended detention times waiting for transport provided by Mitie Care & Custody or Clearsprings.
Board Commentary
Staffing
Staffing levels, particularly at Bristol Airport, were at times insufficient to facilitate timely transfers of detained individuals from controlled waiting areas to more comfortable Short-Term Holding Facilities (STHFs). While some improvement has been noted, staffing flexibility, especially during weekends, remains a concern for the Board.
Healthcare
The healthcare arrangements across all sites are deemed inadequate, primarily concerning the management of medication. Detained individuals' personal medication is routinely withheld, which the Board believes could pose risks to their health, especially for those with chronic conditions or post-operative needs. No dedicated healthcare facilities exist, with staff relying on NHS 111, first-aid training, and referrals to the Gatwick custody medical team. Mental health needs are generally not formally identified beyond self-declaration of medication use.
Regime & Daily Life
Accommodation is generally suitable for short periods, but some facilities have limitations such as lack of natural light at Bristol, absence of heating at Poole, and frequent hot water/soap failures at Portsmouth. Capacity at Bristol has been strained, leading to extended waits in less comfortable areas. The provision of hot food and drinks has been a significant concern, with issues resolved at most sites, but Portsmouth still only offers crisps and biscuits. Access to books, magazines, TV, and mobile phone contact with family is provided.
Recommendations (6)
Home Office: 1
Other: 5
5 repeated
Recommendation 1
Ensure that the capacity of detention facilities keeps pace with the expansion in passenger numbers at Bristol Airport.
Home Office
Overcrowding
Recommendation 2
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
Ensure that the IMB has full access to detentions records so we can monitor effectively.
Other
(other)
Other
Recommendation 3
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
Rota reports are they responded to promptly and concerns raised by the IMB are addressed.
Other
(other)
Other
Recommendation 4
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
Ensure that the recording of children’s detention fully reflects the individual child’s treatment.
Other
(other)
Safety
Recommendation 5
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
Provide use of force statistics as part of the monthly data return to the Board.
Other
(other)
Safety
Recommendation 6
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
Confirm that, at Portsmouth, hot food/drinks can now be served?
Other
(other)
Food