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Dungavel House IRC

AI-generated report summary Dungavel House IRC successfully managed its operations during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, with no detainee infections and staff commended for their resilience. Detainees report feeling safe, benefiting from good healthcare, a relaxed regime, and improved escort services. However, concerns persist regarding the length of detention, roof access, staff training, parking, and gate upgrades.

Year: 2020 Published: 22 Jun 2021 Type: IRC · Cat IRC Population: 30 Recommendations: 4 Key concerns Positive findings
Original IMB report page ↗

Safety statistics

Incidents during reporting year
IndicatorThis yearPrevious
Self-harm incidents9—
Prisoner assaults2—
Assaults on staff6—

Positive findings

AI-generated summary
The Board commends GEO management and staff for effectively managing the IRC well during the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, with no detainee infections and only community transmission among staff. Detainees are treated fairly and humanely, reporting that they feel safe and respected. Healthcare provision is good, offering a full range of services, and a marked improvement in the relationship and transport provision from Mitie is welcomed. Excellent provision was made during Ramadan, demonstrating respect for protected characteristics.

Key concerns

6 items
Other The detainees’ main concerns relate to the length of detention and the uncertainty of their futures.
Safety Repeated consideration should be given to installing robust preventative measures to ensure that roofs are not accessible to detainees. This would help towards the safety of detainees and staff.
Staffing Repeated Some staff should be trained in negotiating techniques.
Estate/Conditions The escorting contract is held by Mitie who have an office and a vehicle base in the car park of the centre. This by default, has led to a much reduced number of parking bays for GEO staff and visitors. This must be addressed.
Estate/Conditions During 2020 there was an issue with the electronics of the inner pedestrian gate... The Board strongly recommends that this gate be upgraded.
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. The Board is closely monitoring the number of late arrivals and departures.

Recommendations

4 items · 2 repeated

Recommendation 1

Addressee: Governor / Director

The board repeats its recommendation from its 2019 report that consideration should be given to installing robust preventative measures to ensure that roofs are not accessible to detainees. This would help towards the safety of detainees and staff.

Repeated Source text verified

Recorded status:

Topic: Safety

Recommendation 2

Addressee: Governor / Director

Some staff should be trained in negotiating techniques.

Repeated Source text verified

Recorded status:

Topic: Staffing

Recommendation 3

Addressee: Governor / Director

The escorting contract is held by Mitie who have an office and a vehicle base in the car park of the centre. This by default, has led to a much reduced number of parking bays for GEO staff and visitors. This must be addressed.

Source text verified

Recorded status:

Topic: Estate

Recommendation 4

Addressee: Governor / Director

The centre is secured by a fence and gates. During 2020 there was an issue with the electronics of the inner pedestrian gate. The Board strongly recommends that this gate be upgraded.

Source text verified

Recorded status:

Topic: Safety

Applications to the IMB

CategoryCurrentPrevious
Accommodation including laundry, showers 0 0
Equality 0 0
Escorts 0 0
Finance including detainees’ centre accounts 0 0
Food and kitchens 0 0
Health including physical, mental, social care 0 0
Issues relating to detainees’ immigration case, including access to legal advice 0 0
Letters, faxes, visits, phones, internet access 0 0
Other 0 2
Property during transfer or in another establishment or location 1 1
Property within centre 0 0
Purposeful activity including education, paid work, training, library, other activities 0 0
Staff/detainee conduct, including bullying 0 0
Use of force, removal from association 0 0

Related inspections & investigations

1 Sep 2025 HMIP · Unannounced
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

2024 Published 29 Oct 2025 Population 114 · Self-harm 4 · Concerns
2022 Published 1 Dec 2023 Population 37 · Self-harm 5 · Concerns
2021 Published 5 Oct 2022 Population 14 · Self-harm 3 · Concerns