Source · IMB Annual Report
Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and Lunar House
Year: 2020
Published: 2 Jul 2021
Type: Prison · Cat IRC (STHF)
Recommendations: 2
Key concerns
Positive findings
The IMB report for Gatwick, Stansted, Luton Airports and Lunar House covers the period January to December 2020. It notes that while staff generally treated detained individuals fairly and humanely, significant concerns exist regarding the physical limitations of the holding rooms, which lack natural light, fresh air, and adequate washing facilities. A primary concern is the inadequate arrangements for monitoring medical welfare and accessing urgent medication, compounded by the absence of trained medical staff on site. The Board made recommendations to the Home Office and Detention Contractor to address these healthcare deficiencies.
Positive findings
The Board observed that Care and Custody (C&C) staff generally treated detained individuals fairly and humanely, showing empathy and explaining rights effectively, often using translation services. Staff were experienced, and facilities were generally clean. Detained individuals often complimented officers on the provision of food, drink, and bedding. The Board noted positive initiatives like a multi-language notice board at Stansted and a folder with immigration rules in various languages.
Key concerns
Estate/Conditions
We were however concerned at the physical limitations of these holding rooms. We noted that, in general, the size of the holding rooms and the fact that they did not have access to natural light or fresh air and were clearly not designed to comfortably accommodate detained individuals for extended periods meant that there was a limit to what could be achieved by staff.
Healthcare
We do not believe that the arrangements for the monitoring of the medical welfare of detained individuals within the holding rooms are adequate and in particular there is potential risk to the health of an individual who needs urgent access to their medication or medical equipment.
Healthcare
In general, at the airports monitored, there were no trained medical staff on call and certainly not on a 24-hour basis.
Healthcare
Medicines may be described by a variety of names, may not clearly show the constituents or the dosage or may not be clearly prescribed by a qualified medical practitioner, to the detained individual. Officers do not seem to have obvious means of verifying what action they need to take if a detained individual says that they need access to a particular medication.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
issues of privacy and the general lack of floor space would not be conducive to rest or sleep.
Equality/Diversity
Unfortunately, when the holding room is busy, in can be very difficult to provide unrelated males and females, or families, with separate sleeping areas.
Equality/Diversity
It is not clear however how those in wheelchairs or the seriously visually impaired would be supported. There appears to be no means whereby the hearing impaired would be identified, other than by the individual themselves.
Recommendations
| # | Recommendation | Addressee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | We do not believe that the arrangements for the monitoring of the medical welfare of detained individuals within the holding rooms are adequate and in particular there is potential risk to the health of an individual who needs urgent access to their medication or medical equipment. | Home Office | |
| 2 | Detained individuals who are held for more than a very short period of time, should have access to a qualified medical practioner. | Home Office |
Other reports for Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and Lunar House
Report details
- Establishment
- Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and Lunar House
- Type
- Prison · Cat IRC (STHF)
- Report year
- 2020
- Published
- 2 July 2021
- Recommendations
- 2
Service providers
Detention Contractor
Mitie Group (Care and Custody)