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.
Morton Hall IRC
IRC
Concerns
This final report covers the last 203 days of Morton Hall IRC's operation before its closure on 23 July 2021. The Board found the centre largely safe with professional staff and well-delivered healthcare, but noted concerns regarding slow lifting of COVID-19 restrictions and significant delays in bail releases. Staff managed the closure process exceptionally well, ensuring fair and humane treatment of detainees.
Key concerns identified
- Continued significant delays in detainees being released from the centre even after a judge had awarded bail.
- Covid-19 restrictions on well-being, faith, and recreational facilities were not lifted at the same pace as in the wider community or non-HMPPS IRCs.
- The £1 per hour rate of pay for paid activities, unchanged since 2008, is derisory.
- Covid-19 restrictions on well-being, faith, and recreational facilities were not lifted at the same pace as in the wider community or non-HMPPS IRCs.
- The £1 per hour rate of pay for paid activities, unchanged since 2008, is derisory.
Morton Hall IRC
IRC
Concerns
Self-harm: 62
Assaults: 26
Staff assaults: 16
Morton Hall IRC demonstrated a professional ethos and effective COVID-19 response in 2020, significantly reducing drug incidents and maintaining overall safety. However, the Board expressed concerns over persistent self-harm and assault incidents, prolonged detention times for some individuals, and delays in bail releases. Operational challenges included the continued closure of key facilities like the gym and faith centre, a low £1/hour pay rate for detainee work, and ongoing issues with night transfers between IRCs.
Key concerns identified
- Incidents of self-harm, assaults, and altercations remain a concern.
- Some detainees remain in detention for too long a time, and there are continued delays in releasing detainees, particularly those granted bail or classified as Level 3 Adults at Risk.
- Gymnasium facilities and the faith centre remained closed even when open elsewhere, impacting wellbeing.
- Education is not counted as 'purposeful activity' for pay, creating a disincentive for detainee engagement.
- The £1 per hour pay rate for cleaning activities is considered too low and unfair, a concern repeated from the previous year.
- Delays persist in the contractor Amey's response to kitchen equipment breakdowns.
- Night moves between Immigration Removal Centres continue, which the Board believes is unnecessary.
- Some detainees remain in detention for too long a time, and there are continued delays in releasing detainees, particularly those granted bail or classified as Level 3 Adults at Risk.
- Gymnasium facilities and the faith centre remained closed even when open elsewhere, impacting wellbeing.
- Education is not counted as 'purposeful activity' for pay, creating a disincentive for detainee engagement.
- The £1 per hour pay rate for cleaning activities is considered too low and unfair, a concern repeated from the previous year.
- Delays persist in the contractor Amey's response to kitchen equipment breakdowns.
- Night moves between Immigration Removal Centres continue, which the Board believes is unnecessary.