Recommendation 1
In the light of the issues and inequalities that we have highlighted in this report, to reconsider the suitability of Derwentside as an immigration removal centre.
Source · IMB Annual Report
Derwentside
AI-generated report summary 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.
Year: 2022
Published: 30 Jun 2023
Type: Prison · Cat IRC
Population: 29
Recommendations: 11
Key concerns
Positive findings
Safety statistics
| Indicator | This year | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Deaths in custody | 0 | — |
| Self-harm incidents | 7 | — |
| ACCT cases opened | 67 | — |
| Prisoner assaults | 1 | — |
| Assaults on staff | 5 | — |
| Use of force | 14 | — |
Positive findings
AI-generated summaryThe systems for monitoring vulnerable women and those at risk of self-harm have developed positively, with staff showing conscientiousness in the ACDT process. Interactions between staff and detained women are overwhelmingly positive and supportive, fostering a humane environment. Healthcare services, both physical and mental, are generally very good, with fully staffed teams providing empathetic care. The welfare team is active, and the arts and crafts classroom is well-attended, offering purposeful activity. The onsite DET team is visible and accessible, and support charities like Hibiscus provide valuable assistance.
Key concerns
There have, however, been examples of unacceptable delays in releasing women whose vulnerabilities put them at risk of harm in detention, because of difficulties in finding suitable accommodation.
From the few instances that have occurred, we have some concerns about the governance of use of force and the ability of staff to exercise the correct techniques.
We consider that the location of Derwentside, plus the inadequate communications infrastructure, is unsuitable and leads to treatment of detained women that is in some respects inhumane, and is in any event unequal and unfair compared with the treatment of detained men.
The centre is not complete, however, with important facilities including the care suite not yet open.
There could also be improvements in communications for women whose first language is not English.
We do not consider it is either fair or humane to detain people for indefinite periods of time.
Our only concerns are around access, with the GP visiting only twice a week, which has an impact on the timeliness of rule 35 appointments
The lack of mental health cover at weekends and public holidays, which is not the same as in the male IRCs.
There seems to be no mechanism for retrieving women’s property once they are detained, either at a reporting centre or from home.
The SIM cards provided to the women on arrival do not allow calls to be made to Africa, so that women with families in Africa are unable to call them.
Much more can be done to improve the inclusion of women who do not understand spoken and/or written English. For example, although there have been improvements in the presentation of information on noticeboards, information is still often only in English, including the EDI team’s notice to promote their drop-in sessions. The shop list and menus are available only in English.
The unreliable mobile phone reception, a problem that we have raised with the contractor and the Home Office from when the centre first opened, and which has not yet been resolved.
Recommendations
Recommendation 2
To introduce a time limit for immigration detention.
Recommendation 3
Not to open a new immigration removal centre or other such establishment until all building work is completed and all facilities available for use.
Recommendation 4
To the detention gatekeeper: not to detain women with current, or a history of, serious mental health issues.
Recommendation 5
To establish or improve pathways with local authorities and other external agencies to enable prompt access to housing, social support and other services which are required to be put in place before vulnerable women leave detention.
Recommendation 6
To improve the communications infrastructure for Derwentside.
Recommendation 7
To introduce routine pregnancy testing for women detained in residential short-term holding facilities.
Recommendation 8
To ensure all staff are trained and fully confident and competent in the governance, techniques and reporting requirements around use of force and rules 40 and 42.
Recommendation 9
To improve communications with detained women whose first language is not English.
Recommendation 10
To improve the management of challenging behaviour which can have an effect on the wellbeing of some women in Derwentside.
Recommendation 11
To commission access to mental health services at Derwentside at weekends and over public holidays.
Applications to the IMB
| Category | Current | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation including laundry, showers | 0 | 0 |
| Equality | 0 | 0 |
| Escorts | 2 | 0 |
| Finance including detained women’s centre accounts | 0 | 0 |
| Food and kitchens | 3 | 0 |
| Health including physical, mental, social care | 0 | 0 |
| Issues relating to immigration cases, including access to legal advice | 0 | 0 |
| Letters, faxes, visits, phones, internet access | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 |
| Property during transfer or in another establishment or location | 0 | 0 |
| Property within centre | 0 | 0 |
| Purposeful activity including education, paid work, training, library, other activities | 0 | 0 |
| Staff conduct, including bullying | 0 | 0 |
| Use of force, removal from association | 1 | 0 |
Other reports for Derwentside
Population 55
· Self-harm 113
· Concerns