Source · IMB Annual Report
Dungavel House IRC
Year: 2024
Published: 29 Oct 2025
Type: IRC · Cat IRC
Population: 114
Recommendations: 2
Key concerns
Positive findings
The Independent Monitoring Board for Dungavel House IRC reports a generally safe and humane environment for detainees in 2024, with good staff-detainee relationships and healthcare provision. Key concerns include the uncertainty of detainees' futures, high numbers of night-time arrivals and departures, and ongoing issues with roof accessibility and building maintenance. The Board also noted that female facilities are considered inadequate.
Safety statistics
| Indicator | This year | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Self-harm incidents | 4 | — |
Positive findings
The Board is satisfied that Dungavel House IRC provides a generally safe environment where detainees are treated fairly, with respect and dignity, and that their human rights are respected. Staff-detainee relationships are characterised by mutual respect, and the safe, open, and relaxed regime is appreciated. Healthcare provision is good with daily GP attendance, mental health support from an NHS psychiatrist, and access to dental and optical care. The Information and Learning Centre (ILC) staff have built good relationships with detainees, and there is evidence of ongoing maintenance and upgrading of facilities.
Key concerns
Mental Health
The detained people’s main concerns continue to be related to the uncertainty of their futures.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
Admissions arrive at any time, day or night. During the year there were 676 arrivals and 126 removals during the night, which represents a 50% increase in night state arrivals and 250% increase in night state departures. While this is something that the IRC has no influence over, it is a continuing concern for the Board.
Safety
Repeated
accessibility to roofs is an ongoing issue and the installation of preventative measures to ensure that roofs are not accessible to detained persons was commenced during the year.
Estate/Conditions
There remains an imbalance of temperatures within the buildings at the centre.
Estate/Conditions
Mechanical ventilation at the centre is required to be upgraded.
Equality/Diversity
It is not considered that the female facilities are adequate for detention purposes.
Healthcare
Med-Co, at first, appeared not to be familiar with the role of the IMB. This relationship is something that the IMB will want to build upon.
Equality/Diversity
The women’s accommodation at Hamilton house is somewhat restricted, as are the women’s access to general facilities.
Recommendations
| # | Recommendation | Addressee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
As has been mentioned in previous reports, accessibility to roofs is an ongoing issue and the installation of preventative measures to ensure that roofs are not accessible to detained persons was commenced during the year.
Repeated
Response
Recommendation already completed. Additional work was completed in July 24 to install zonal fencing, which helps minimise accessibility to rooftops. In order to prevent roof accessibility by residents, additional work was completed in January 2025 to install flexible security toppings. |
Governor / Director | Implemented |
| 2 |
Planning permission for the extension to the car park was obtained in May 2024 and work on this project should be put in hand during the year ahead.
Response
Due to the increase in operational capacity of the centre Mitie have developed plans to convert the old vehicle base, located in the current car park, into a visitor centre to help improve the current visitor process. The new car park construction work is in progress with aimed completion by the end of October 2025. |
Governor / Director | In progress |
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
- 2024
- Published
- 29 October 2025
- Responsible body
- Dungavel House IRC
- Recommendations
- 2
Population
| Population | 114 |
| Time out of cell | 15.0h/day |
Service providers
Custodial services
Mitie Care and Custody Ltd
Escort contractor
Mitie
Healthcare
Med-Co Secure Healthcare Ltd