Source · IMB Annual Report
Dungavel House IRC
Year: 2022
Published: 1 Dec 2023
Type: IRC · Cat IRC
Population: 37
Recommendations: 4
Key concerns
Positive findings
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.
Safety statistics
| Indicator | This year | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Self-harm incidents | 5 | — |
| Prisoner assaults | 7 | — |
| Assaults on staff | 4 | — |
Positive findings
The Board is satisfied that Dungavel House IRC provides a safe, fair, and humane environment for detainees, with sufficient staff and no overcrowding. Staff are commended for their caring attitude and mutual respect with residents, who generally feel safe and appreciate the open regime. Healthcare provision is good, and the Independent Learning Centre is well-utilised, fostering positive staff-resident relationships.
Key concerns
Other
Residents’ main concerns relate to the uncertainty of their futures.
Estate/Conditions
Repeated
the temperature in the care and separation unit was found on occasion to have been too high.
Other
Some of the literature in the multifaith area has been questionable, being more political than religious in nature. Whilst there has been nothing directly inflammatory, materials which concern mainly political matters should not be displayed in this area.
Safety
Repeated
consideration should be given to installing robust preventative measures to ensure that roofs are not accessible to detained persons.
Staffing
Repeated
Some staff should be trained in negotiation techniques, as per our previous recommendation.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Admissions arrive at any time, day or night. Detainees often arrive very late at night from Edinburgh airport only to be taken back there early in the morning for assessment. This seems unnecessarily inconvenient to the persons concerned.
Estate/Conditions
Repeated
Plans are in place with the facilities manager to expand the current parking area. The project is still in the planning phase and has not yet broken ground.
Recommendations
| # | Recommendation | Addressee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | As has been mentioned in previous reports, consideration should be given to installing robust preventative measures to ensure that roofs are not accessible to detained persons. This would help towards the safety of residents and staff. Repeated | Governor / Director | |
| 2 | Some staff should be trained in negotiation techniques, as per our previous recommendation. Repeated | Governor / Director | |
| 3 | During 2022 the temperature in the care and separation unit was found on occasion to have been too high. This area is already austere and relatively uncomfortable (it is impossible to look out of a window and there is no desk in any of the four cells, to give just two examples) so it is important to keep the temperature at a reasonable level. Repeated | Governor / Director | |
| 4 | Some of the literature in the multifaith area has been questionable, being more political than religious in nature. Whilst there has been nothing directly inflammatory, materials which concern mainly political matters should not be displayed in this area. | Governor / Director |
Related inspections & investigations
18 Aug 2025
HMIP · Unannounced
Safety 4
· Respect 4
· Activity 3
· Release 4
19 Jul 2021
HMIP · Unannounced
Safety 3
· Respect 3
· Activity 3
· Release 3
Other reports for Dungavel House IRC
Report details
- Establishment
- Dungavel House IRC
- Type
- IRC · Cat IRC
- Report year
- 2022
- Published
- 1 December 2023
- Responsible body
- Dungavel House IRC
- Recommendations
- 4
Population
| Population | 37 |
| Operational capacity | 125 |
| Time out of cell | 15.0h/day |
Service providers
Centre Management
Mitie Care and Custody Ltd
Escort contractor
Mitie Care and Custody Ltd
Healthcare
Med-Co Secure Healthcare Ltd
IMB Secretariat
Home Office Immigration Enforcement