IMB Annual Reports
768 annual reports from Independent Monitoring Boards covering 171 establishments. IMBs provide independent oversight of prisons, immigration removal centres, and secure training centres. Source: imb.org.uk.
768
Reports
171
Establishments
757
With Key Concerns
Establishment Type
Reports by Year
Key Findings
99% of IMB reports flag key concerns.
Independent monitors cover 171 establishments
across prisons, immigration removal centres and secure training centres.
Derwentside
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 113
The IMB report for Derwentside IRC highlights a generally safe environment and positive staff interactions despite significant staff churn and the planned re-roling of the centre. However, key concerns persist regarding the centre's remote location and poor communications infrastructure, contributing to inhumane treatment via long, disruptive journeys for detainees. While healthcare provision is praised, unacceptably long waits for Rule 35(3) assessments and reduced activity provision for wellbeing remain critical issues, alongside ongoing dissatisfaction with food and the lack of a detention time limit.
Key concerns identified
- The unsuitable remote location and inadequate communications infrastructure, leading to inhumane and unequal treatment.
- The long and frequent disruptive journeys, often at night, causing anxiety and fear for vulnerable women.
- Continued detention of extremely vulnerable women, including those with serious mental health issues, and maintenance of detention after Rule 35(3) reports.
- Unacceptably long waiting times for Rule 35(3) assessments (up to 21 days).
- Frequent dissatisfaction with the variety, quality, and portion sizes of food provided.
- Deficiencies in the availability and consistent use of translation services and lack of progress on mobile phone reception/Wi-Fi calling.
- Reduced provision of activities for health and wellbeing, particularly for those with anxiety and mental health issues.
- The absence of a legal time limit for immigration detention.
- The long and frequent disruptive journeys, often at night, causing anxiety and fear for vulnerable women.
- Continued detention of extremely vulnerable women, including those with serious mental health issues, and maintenance of detention after Rule 35(3) reports.
- Unacceptably long waiting times for Rule 35(3) assessments (up to 21 days).
- Frequent dissatisfaction with the variety, quality, and portion sizes of food provided.
- Deficiencies in the availability and consistent use of translation services and lack of progress on mobile phone reception/Wi-Fi calling.
- Reduced provision of activities for health and wellbeing, particularly for those with anxiety and mental health issues.
- The absence of a legal time limit for immigration detention.
Derwentside IRC
IRC
Concerns
Self-harm: 13
Assaults: 1
Staff assaults: 2
Derwentside IRC, for women, operated at reduced capacity during 2023. The Board found it to be generally safe, with positive staff interactions and improved healthcare provision, especially mental health cover. However, significant concerns remain regarding the centre's remote location, inadequate facilities (Block 4), poor communications infrastructure, and the impact of long-term detention and frequent transfers on vulnerable women.
Key concerns identified
- A high proportion of vulnerable 'adults at risk' with mental health issues remain in detention for long periods, even after release is authorised or after Rule 35(3) reports indicating torture concerns.
- The remote location of Derwentside and its inadequate communications infrastructure lead to inhumane, unequal treatment, including frequent and disruptive night-time transfers. This is a repeated concern.
- Important facilities in Block 4, such as induction and care suites and a cultural kitchen, remain unopened over two years after the centre opened.
- The quality, variety, and portion sizes of food are a frequent source of dissatisfaction, and processes for managing food allergies are not failsafe.
- Provision for education and purposeful activities has significantly reduced and is insufficient, impacting women's wellbeing.
- Deficiencies in the availability and effective use of translation services contribute to social isolation for non-English speakers. This is a repeated concern.
- The remote location of Derwentside and its inadequate communications infrastructure lead to inhumane, unequal treatment, including frequent and disruptive night-time transfers. This is a repeated concern.
- Important facilities in Block 4, such as induction and care suites and a cultural kitchen, remain unopened over two years after the centre opened.
- The quality, variety, and portion sizes of food are a frequent source of dissatisfaction, and processes for managing food allergies are not failsafe.
- Provision for education and purposeful activities has significantly reduced and is insufficient, impacting women's wellbeing.
- Deficiencies in the availability and effective use of translation services contribute to social isolation for non-English speakers. This is a repeated concern.
Derwentside
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 7
Assaults: 1
Staff assaults: 5
This inaugural annual report for Derwentside IRC, based on weekly visits, finds the centre safe and well-run, with detainees treated humanely and with respect. However, its remote location and poor communications infrastructure contribute to unequal and sometimes inhumane treatment compared to male IRCs. Key concerns include delays in releasing vulnerable women due to accommodation issues, incomplete facilities, and a lack of mental health cover at weekends.
Key concerns identified
- There are unacceptable delays in releasing vulnerable women due to difficulties in finding suitable accommodation.
- Concerns exist regarding the governance, techniques, and reporting requirements around the use of force.
- The remote location of Derwentside and inadequate communications infrastructure lead to inhumane and unequal treatment for women compared to men, including long, frequent journeys and difficult family contact.
- The centre remains incomplete, with important facilities like the care suite and cultural kitchen yet to open.
- There is a lack of mental health cover at weekends and public holidays, which is unequal to provision in male IRCs.
- The absence of a legal time limit for immigration detention adds to the anxiety and stress experienced by detained women.
- Concerns exist regarding the governance, techniques, and reporting requirements around the use of force.
- The remote location of Derwentside and inadequate communications infrastructure lead to inhumane and unequal treatment for women compared to men, including long, frequent journeys and difficult family contact.
- The centre remains incomplete, with important facilities like the care suite and cultural kitchen yet to open.
- There is a lack of mental health cover at weekends and public holidays, which is unequal to provision in male IRCs.
- The absence of a legal time limit for immigration detention adds to the anxiety and stress experienced by detained women.
North West and Midlands STHF
PRISON
Concerns
The Board has resumed actual visits to most locations, with two exceptions, and consists of three active members who continue their duties robustly, despite being under-strength. Key concerns include the persistent issue of detainees being denied access to prescribed medication in facilities without full-time medical professionals, and the slow rectification of structural and equipment deficiencies. Positive developments include the resolution of airside pass issuance and observations of humane and professional treatment of detainees.
Key concerns identified
- Denial of access to prescribed medication for detainees in holding rooms and reporting centres, a concern repeated for five years.
- Lack of full-time medical professionals at facilities other than Manchester RSTHF, leading to reliance on ambulance services.
- Slow pace in rectifying structural and equipment deficiencies across all monitored facilities.
- Excessive and repeated transfers of female detainees between Derwentside and southern IRCs.
- The Board is significantly under-strength in active members.
- Restrictive office space for DCOs at some reporting centres, impacting duties like searches.
- Lack of full-time medical professionals at facilities other than Manchester RSTHF, leading to reliance on ambulance services.
- Slow pace in rectifying structural and equipment deficiencies across all monitored facilities.
- Excessive and repeated transfers of female detainees between Derwentside and southern IRCs.
- The Board is significantly under-strength in active members.
- Restrictive office space for DCOs at some reporting centres, impacting duties like searches.