Prison
Cat Short-Term Holding Facilities (STHF)
Key Concerns Identified
Positive Findings
South and East 2023-24 Short Term Holding Facilities (STHF)
IMB Annual Report 2024 · Published 18 July 2024
The IMB's annual report for South and East Short-Term Holding Facilities (STHFs) highlights significant concerns regarding the welfare and humane treatment of detainees. The Board notes critical issues such as chronic overcrowding, particularly at Luton Airport, posing fire safety risks and leading to undignified sleeping conditions. Despite repeated recommendations, the report expresses disappointment over the lack of progress on disability access, persistent maintenance problems, and prolonged detention of individuals beyond 24 hours in unsuitable environments. While commending staff dedication, the IMB underscores the urgent need for improvements in accommodation, healthcare provision at Lunar House, and the efficiency of transfer services.
Positive Findings
The Board observed C&C officers carrying out duties with tact and sensitivity, often utilising multi-language skills to support detainees. They were generally open to questions and volunteered information. The continued 24/7 availability of Aeromed at Gatwick, Luton, and Stansted airports was noted as positive, with Aeromed staff interacting with care and compassion. Managers showed marked improvement in signing off vulnerable persons' paperwork. Good working relationships between C&C and Border Force officers were observed, and regular testing of fire and panic alarms at Lunar House was well documented. The Board was pleased with C&C managers' decision to have Border Force officers escort individuals to flights, allowing C&C officers to focus on their core role within the holding room.
Key Concerns
Safety
The Board is very concerned about the size of the accommodation, especially at Luton Airport, and the potential fire safety implications.
Overcrowding
Repeated
The Board draws the Home Office’s attention to the capacity issues at many of the airports’ STHFs
Equality/Diversity
Repeated
the fact that the needs of those with mobility, hearing or sight impairment issues are still not being adequately addressed.
Estate/Conditions
In the opinion of the Board the STHF at the Port of Felixstowe does not provide a humane place for holding people.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Repeated
The Board consider that it is inhumane to require people to sleep on the floor or on chairs.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Repeated
The Board considers it is not acceptable that detained persons, who are often held for more than 24 hours, have totally inadequate provision for rest or sleep.
Equality/Diversity
Repeated
The Board is very disappointed about the lack of progress on the Disability Access Review that was committed to in previous Ministerial Responses, on the 9 August 2022 and 16 June 2023 to our previous annual reports.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
The Board is very concerned about the lack of privacy afforded to detained persons during the initial induction at some of the STHFs, or whilst being examined by an Aeromed health professional.
Estate/Conditions
Repeated
The Board continues to be concerned about the length of time it takes to resolve problems associated with the maintenance and repair of airport facilities.
Resettlement/Release
We are concerned about the contractual support provided by Clearsprings and the delays experienced by detained people waiting to be transferred to asylum accommodation.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Repeated
There are a limited number of sleeping mattresses in the STHFs
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Repeated
The STHFs the Board monitors are not residential establishments and do not have adequate facilities for sleeping or exercise and do not offer any privacy.
Overcrowding
Repeated
The Board is concerned about the inadequate sizes of most of the holding rooms
Estate/Conditions
No toilet seat in male toilet at Gatwick North
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Repeated
BT pay telephone unable to make outgoing calls at Gatwick North (Unresolved Oct 2023)
Estate/Conditions
Water Fountain at Gatwick North (Unresolved Aug 2023)
Food/Catering
Border Force Officers were not able to serve hot food or drinks to detained individuals, as the STHFs they managed did not comply with UK Food Safety requirements. This was unresolved at the end of the Board’s reporting year in January 2024 and detained people were still only being offered cold food and, in some locations, cold drinks.
Equality/Diversity
Repeated
There are limited facilities to support people with mobility issues and sight or hearing impairments, only at Southend, Tilbury, Harwich, Lunar House and Gatwick South.
Overcrowding
Repeated
The family holding rooms at Gatwick North, Luton and Stansted are particularly small and cramped.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Repeated
Although the family room at Stansted has been refurbished and now has soft seating and colourful murals on the walls, the Board considers it still to be unsuitable as it has very limited capacity, does not have separate access, offers little privacy and does not have its own toilets.
Safety
At Stansted the property of detained persons is stored in metal ‘cages’ in a room adjacent to the Detainee Custody Officer (DCO) office... metal cages should be kept locked although Board members have observed times when the cages have not been properly secured.
Safety
At Luton, luggage is stored in the kitchen and adjoining corridor as overflow. This is not secure and further restricts an already insufficient space.
Healthcare
There is no Aeromed cover at Lunar House. In our view the C&C officers at Lunar House should have access to the advice of healthcare professionals as with the other STHFs.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Repeated
Detained persons at most of the STHFs have no access to fresh air or an exercise area and this is of particular concern when people are held for a long time.
Mental Health
We are concerned that with the increasing numbers of people being detained it is not always possible for C&C officers to be aware of those with mental health conditions who have not self-identified and we believe that this may be a potential safety issue.
Resettlement/Release
Repeated
The Board is concerned about the contracted service provided by Clearsprings at Gatwick. On many occasions people have been bailed and have had to wait many hours, on occasions over 12 hours in the STHF before Clearsprings have been able to transport people to a safe location.
Complaints/Property
The Board is concerned that despite repeated requests, the Home Office have not been able to share with the Board the data through its contract monitoring on whether Clearsprings is meeting its contractual obligation.
Other
At Luton we have observed the use of handcuffs when residents are moved through public areas of the airport and the Board considers this not to be compliant with STHF Rule 11.
Board Commentary
Staffing
The Board commended C&C officers for their tact, sensitivity, multi-language skills, and care for vulnerable people, noting generally good working relationships with Border Force staff. However, concerns were raised about the staffing arrangements, where only one C&C officer might be available due to others performing escort duties, potentially impacting the care provided and posing a safety risk. The Board also highlighted that body-worn cameras are not automatically issued to all C&C officers, unlike Border Force staff working in the same environment.
Healthcare
The Board welcomed the continued 24/7 Aeromed service at Gatwick, Luton, and Stansted, noting positive interactions and compassionate care from Aeromed professionals. However, a significant concern is the complete lack of Aeromed cover at Lunar House, prompting recommendations for healthcare professional access and consideration during facility expansion or relocation. The report also highlights a lack of privacy during Aeromed assessments across airport STHFs and expresses concern that, with increasing detainee numbers, C&C officers may not always identify those with un-self-identified mental health conditions, posing a potential safety issue. Medical support at Southend and shipping ports relies on first-aid trained fire fighters or emergency services.
Regime & Daily Life
The Board is deeply concerned by the regular and prolonged detention of individuals, often exceeding 24 hours, in Short-Term Holding Facilities (STHFs) that are not designed for such periods. These facilities largely lack basic amenities such as showers (only Gatwick South has them), adequate sleeping provisions, privacy, natural light, or exercise areas, forcing detainees to sleep on floors or chairs in mixed-gender spaces. The Board considers it inhumane to detain people in these conditions, particularly for extended periods. Additionally, Border Force-managed STHFs were unable to serve hot food or drinks due to food safety issues, offering only cold options, and payphones were frequently faulty, hindering family contact. The lack of internet calling options further exacerbates communication difficulties for detainees.
Recommendations (8)
Other: 2
Home Office: 6
7 repeated
Recommendation 1
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
The Board is very disappointed that the Disability Access Review has not been completed for the second year and as noted in 3.2 and 5.3 the Minister needs to take steps to ensure that this review is completed and that any recommendations made are implemented. The current STHFs do not provide adequate support for those with limited mobility, sight or hearing impairment.
Other
(minister)
Equality
Response
The Ministerial response, 9 August 2022, reported that a National Access Disability Review had been commissioned and stated that it was hoped to complete the review by the end of 2022. The Ministerial response, 16 June 2023, again stated a Disability Access Review would be completed by the end of 2023. Despite assurances in previous Ministerial responses over the last two years, the Board has not seen evidence that these Disability Access reviews have taken place.
Recommendation 2
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
The Board recommends that the Minister reviews the accommodation capacity especially as noted in 4.3 and 5.1. There is an increasing number of people held overnight at the STHFs which are not designed for overnight accommodation and in some places do not provide a dignified and humane space.
Other
(minister)
Overcrowding
Response
The Board noted with some disappointment the Ministerial response which stated there were no plans to review the holding room detention capacities.
Recommendation 3
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
The Board recommends that the Home Office review the capacity of each of the holding rooms.
Home Office
Overcrowding
Response
The Board noted with some disappointment the Ministerial response which stated there were no plans to review the holding room detention capacities.
Recommendation 4
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
As noted in 5.1 the Board recommends that the capacity at Luton Airport STHF is reviewed urgently, due to the potential impact on the safety of detained persons and staff in the event of a fire. The facility regularly has luggage over-spilling from the kitchen and the number of residents in a day has been as high as 31, on 12 January 2024. It is not unusual to have more than 20 detained persons in a 24-hour period at Luton Airport, which is the stated capacity.
Home Office
Safety
Response
The Board noted with some disappointment the Ministerial response which stated there were no plans to review the holding room detention capacities.
Recommendation 5
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
The Board recommends where floor space is sufficient such as Gatwick North and South main holding rooms, that the adequate provision of sleeping mattresses should be reviewed.
Home Office
Regime
Response
The Board notes the comments on sleeping mattresses and as stated above is very concerned about the sleeping arrangements.
Recommendation 6
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
The Board recommends that action should be taken to reduce the number of detained persons staying in airport STHFs overnight and to reduce the number of detained persons held for longer than 24 hours, as noted in 5.1.
Home Office
Regime
Recommendation 7
Repeated
Prev. unaddressed
As noted in 4.4 the Board recommends that the Home Office gain a contractual commitment from the port authority to resolve issues with the fabric of the STHFs in a timely manner.
Home Office
Estate
Response
For the second year in succession the Board expresses its disappointment that problems are not resolved in a timely manner. It is often very difficult to see a plan for resolving problems - see comments in 5.1.
Recommendation 8
As noted in 7.3, the Board recommends that the Home Office reviews the use of handcuffs at Luton Airport when residents are moved through public areas as the Board considers this not to be in compliance with STHF Rule 11 - Short-term Holding Facility Rules 2018 amended by Short-term Holding Facility (Amendment) Rules 2022.
Home Office
Humane Treatment