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.
Dungavel House IRC
IRC
Concerns
Self-harm: 4
The Independent Monitoring Board for Dungavel House IRC reports a generally safe and humane environment for detainees in 2024, with good staff-detainee relationships and healthcare provision. Key concerns include the uncertainty of detainees' futures, high numbers of night-time arrivals and departures, and ongoing issues with roof accessibility and building maintenance. The Board also noted that female facilities are considered inadequate.
Key concerns identified
- Detained people's main concerns continue to be related to the uncertainty of their futures.
- Night-time arrivals and departures, which are outside the IRC's control, remain a continuing concern for the Board.
- Accessibility to roofs for detainees is an ongoing issue, posing a safety risk.
- There is an imbalance of temperatures within the centre's buildings.
- Mechanical ventilation within the centre requires upgrading.
- The female accommodation and their access to general facilities are somewhat restricted and considered inadequate for detention purposes.
- Night-time arrivals and departures, which are outside the IRC's control, remain a continuing concern for the Board.
- Accessibility to roofs for detainees is an ongoing issue, posing a safety risk.
- There is an imbalance of temperatures within the centre's buildings.
- Mechanical ventilation within the centre requires upgrading.
- The female accommodation and their access to general facilities are somewhat restricted and considered inadequate for detention purposes.
Dungavel House
PRISON
Concerns
Self-harm: 4
Dungavel House IRC maintained a safe and humane environment in 2023, with good staff-resident relationships, comprehensive healthcare, and a relaxed regime. Despite these positives, concerns persist regarding persistent roof access issues and the impact of frequent late-night arrivals from Edinburgh Airport on detainees. The IMB also highlighted its own significant challenges in recruiting members.
Key concerns identified
- Incidents of residents climbing on to the roof remain an occurrence, despite previous recommendations for preventative measures.
- Detainees frequently experience late-night arrivals from Edinburgh airport, sometimes being returned the next morning due to lack of suitable overnight accommodation, raising concerns about night movements.
- One resident was able to escape from Dungavel during the year.
- The IMB itself faced significant difficulties in recruiting and retaining members, affecting its ability to fully monitor the centre.
- Detainees frequently experience late-night arrivals from Edinburgh airport, sometimes being returned the next morning due to lack of suitable overnight accommodation, raising concerns about night movements.
- One resident was able to escape from Dungavel during the year.
- The IMB itself faced significant difficulties in recruiting and retaining members, affecting its ability to fully monitor the centre.
Dungavel House IRC
IRC
Concerns
Self-harm: 5
Assaults: 7
Staff assaults: 4
Dungavel House IRC maintained a safe and humane environment in 2022, with sufficient staffing and a positive staff-detainee relationship fostering a relaxed regime. While healthcare provision was good and significant efforts were made for purposeful activity, concerns persist regarding the uncertainty of detainees' futures and the need for improved roof access prevention. Repeated recommendations, such as staff negotiation training and CSU temperature control, remain ongoing issues.
Key concerns identified
- Residents' main concerns relate to the uncertainty of their futures.
- The temperature in the care and separation unit was found on occasion to have been too high.
- Literature in the multifaith area has been questionable, being more political than religious.
- Preventative measures are needed to ensure roofs are not accessible to detained persons, a repeated concern.
- Some staff should be trained in negotiation techniques, as per a previous recommendation.
- Admissions often arrive very late at night only to be taken back to Edinburgh airport early in the morning, which seems unnecessarily inconvenient.
- Plans to expand the parking area, a previous recommendation, are still in the planning phase and have not yet broken ground.
- The temperature in the care and separation unit was found on occasion to have been too high.
- Literature in the multifaith area has been questionable, being more political than religious.
- Preventative measures are needed to ensure roofs are not accessible to detained persons, a repeated concern.
- Some staff should be trained in negotiation techniques, as per a previous recommendation.
- Admissions often arrive very late at night only to be taken back to Edinburgh airport early in the morning, which seems unnecessarily inconvenient.
- Plans to expand the parking area, a previous recommendation, are still in the planning phase and have not yet broken ground.
Dungavel House IRC
IRC
Concerns
Self-harm: 3
Dungavel IRC was well-managed by both GEO and Mitie throughout 2021 despite COVID-19 challenges, treating residents fairly and safely. Healthcare provision was good, and a relaxed regime with ample activities was maintained due to low resident numbers. Key concerns included IMB member recruitment, high CSU temperatures, the need for a disability officer, and unresolved issues like staff negotiation training and parking.
Key concerns identified
- Recruitment of IMB members is a serious problem due to the centre's remote location.
- The temperature within the Care and Separation Unit (CSU) was too high.
- Disability was not afforded the same priority as other protected characteristics; a disability officer should be considered.
- Training for staff in negotiating techniques needs to be implemented.
- The parking area requires expansion.
- The temperature within the Care and Separation Unit (CSU) was too high.
- Disability was not afforded the same priority as other protected characteristics; a disability officer should be considered.
- Training for staff in negotiating techniques needs to be implemented.
- The parking area requires expansion.
Dungavel House IRC
IRC
Concerns
Self-harm: 9
Assaults: 2
Staff assaults: 6
Dungavel House IRC successfully managed its operations during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, with no detainee infections and staff commended for their resilience. Detainees report feeling safe, benefiting from good healthcare, a relaxed regime, and improved escort services. However, concerns persist regarding the length of detention, roof access, staff training, parking, and gate upgrades.
Key concerns identified
- The length of detention and uncertainty of detainees’ futures.
- The lack of robust preventative measures to ensure roofs are not accessible to detainees, a repeated concern.
- The need for some staff to be trained in negotiating techniques, a repeated concern.
- The much reduced number of parking bays for GEO staff and visitors due to Mitie’s office and vehicle base.
- The need to upgrade the electronics of the inner pedestrian gate.
- The late arrival and early departure of detainees from Edinburgh airport.
- The lack of robust preventative measures to ensure roofs are not accessible to detainees, a repeated concern.
- The need for some staff to be trained in negotiating techniques, a repeated concern.
- The much reduced number of parking bays for GEO staff and visitors due to Mitie’s office and vehicle base.
- The need to upgrade the electronics of the inner pedestrian gate.
- The late arrival and early departure of detainees from Edinburgh airport.