Source · IMB Annual Report
London Heathrow and City Airports
Year: 2022
Published: 29 Jun 2022
Type: Prison · Cat Short-Term Holding Facility
Recommendations: 14
Key concerns
Positive findings
This IMB report for Heathrow and City Airports' Short-Term Holding Facilities covers February 2021 to January 2022. It highlights ongoing concerns regarding extended detention times, inadequate facilities—especially for families in Terminal 5—and a critical lack of Wi-Fi and consistent access to medication across all sites. Despite these issues, the Board notes positive developments such as improved access to medical support at Heathrow, updated religious provisions, and generally respectful interactions from staff, while urging further improvements in staffing, infrastructure, and detainee welfare.
Safety statistics
| Indicator | This year | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Self-harm incidents | 0 | — |
| ACCT cases opened | 12 | — |
| Use of force | 0 | — |
Positive findings
The Board is pleased to be able to report on various areas of progress since last year’s report, including the contracting of AeroMed paramedics for Heathrow Airport holding rooms, improving access to medication. New holding room construction has started at Eaton House, and sacred books in all STHFs have been reviewed and updated. There is improved safety training for staff, ensuring good communication during emergencies. The Board noted the improved standard of inductions, sensitive and respectful searches, and observed Border Force officers and DCOs generally treating individuals with respect and consideration, often providing caring support under pressure. Initiatives like picture menus for meals and audited toy provision for children are also positive. Complaint investigations were thorough, and the IMB now has access to redacted PPO reports. Good practice by DCOs in seeking outside health advice was also noted.
Key concerns
Estate/Conditions
Repeated
Inadequate facilities for families and children in Terminal 5, lacking integrated toilet, shower, and baby-changing facilities.
Staffing
Insufficient Border Force staff leading to unnecessarily extended periods of detention in controlled waiting areas and holding rooms.
Estate/Conditions
Repeated
Frequent lack of access to showers due to non-provision (Terminal 5) or poor maintenance (Terminals 2 and 3).
Healthcare
Detainees, especially at London City and Eaton House, cannot access their prescribed medication.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Repeated
Lack of Wi-Fi and internet access in all holding rooms, inhibiting communication and access to personal information.
Equality/Diversity
Repeated
Delays in Thebigword interpreting service and DCOs assuming English comprehension during inductions.
Estate/Conditions
Erratic temperatures in holding rooms, causing discomfort.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Long waiting times for transport and transfers, particularly at reporting centres and for asylum seekers.
Safety
Problematic situations arising from a lack of separate accommodation for men and women, leading to anxiety and inappropriate placements.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Depleted, dirty, and un-audited supply of toys and books for children.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Frequent long periods when BT payphones are out of order.
Recommendations
| # | Recommendation | Addressee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | [London Heathrow Airport Terminal 5] The Board repeats its recommendation that the Home Office should substantially improve the facilities for families and children in Terminal 5. These are currently excessively cramped, and they lack an integrated toilet, shower and baby-changing facilities. (See paragraphs 4.3.46 – 4.3.48) Repeated | Home Office | |
| 2 | [London Heathrow Airport] The Board recommends that if a holding room is being reconstructed, consideration be given to accommodating men and women separately, as recommended by HM Inspectorate of Prisons. (See paragraphs 4.2.14 and 4.2.15) | Home Office | |
| 3 | [London Heathrow Airport Terminal 5] The Home Office should progress the provision of a shower in Terminal 5, to comply with the National Holding Room Standards (See paragraph 4.3.14) Repeated | Home Office | |
| 4 | [London Heathrow Airport Terminals 2 and 3] The maintenance of showers should be prioritised, so that they remain functional at all times. (See paragraphs 4.3.15 and 4.3.16) | Home Office | |
| 5 | [London City Airport and Eaton House] The Board recommends that a workable solution can be found for those detained to have access to their prescribed medication. (See paragraphs 6.4.6 and 8.4.3) | Home Office | |
| 6 | [All holding rooms] The Board repeats its recommendation that the Home Office should arrange for Wi-Fi and internet access for those held in all holding rooms, even if it is only available when DCOs can supervise access. (See paragraphs 4.3.35 – 4.3.37; 6.3.15) Repeated | Home Office | |
| 7 | [All holding rooms] The Board recommends that Wi-Fi is accessible in the holding rooms for those with hearing and speech impairment, so that they can communicate with DCOs. (See paragraphs 4.3.35 – 4.3.37) | Home Office | |
| 8 | [London Heathrow Airport Cayley House] The Board recognises that overnight stays at Cayley House before removals were unavoidable during the pandemic. However, we recommend that, where overnight stays for those coming from prisons and distant IRCs are required, the practice of accommodating them for a night or two at one of the Heathrow IRCs should be resumed at the earliest opportunity. (See paragraphs 4.5.3 – 4.5.5) | Home Office | |
| 9 | [London City Airport] The Board recommends that further pressure be brought to bear on London City Airport managers to address the issue of the erratic temperatures being experienced in the holding rooms. (See paragraphs 6.3.4 and 6.3.5) | Home Office | |
| 10 | [Eaton House] The Board recommends that when a new contract is negotiated with the transport contractor, the collection time is reduced from the current eight hours to five hours. (See paragraphs 8.5.4 and 8.5.5) | Home Office | |
| 11 | [London Heathrow Airport] The Board recommends that more officers be deployed at peak times, to avoid unnecessarily extended periods of detention in the controlled waiting areas and in the holding rooms. (See paragraphs 4.3.1 – 4.3.3; 4.3.7) | Other | |
| 12 | [London Heathrow Airport] We repeat the recommendation that the detention contractor should ensure that DCOs use the Thebigword interpreting service for inducting non-English-speaking passengers, and not to make the assumption that passengers with a smattering of English really understand what they are being told. (See paragraph 4.2.5) Repeated | Other | |
| 13 | [London Heathrow Airport] People who are detained frequently forget all that they have been offered during induction. We recommend that DCOs regularly re-engage with those detained, to remind them what is available and to ensure that they are reasonably comfortable. (See paragraphs 4.3.29 and 4.3.30) | Other | |
| 14 | [London Heathrow Airport] We recommend that transport collection out of hours for those seeking asylum returns to the pre-pandemic timing of up to three hours for collection post-notification. (See paragraph 4.5.7) | Other |
Report details
- Establishment
- London Heathrow and City Airports
- Type
- Prison · Cat Short-Term Holding Facility
- Report year
- 2022
- Published
- 29 June 2022
- Recommendations
- 14
Service providers
Emergency medical services
London Ambulance Service
Holding room management
Mitie Care and Custody
Interpreting service
Thebigword
Paramedic services
AeroMed
Transport contractor
Clearsprings