Safety statistics
Incidents during reporting year
Positive findings
AI-generated summary
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
8 items
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
2 items · 1 repeated
Addressee: Governor / Director
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
Source text verified
Government responseRecommendation 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.
Recorded status: Implemented
Topic: Safety
Addressee: Governor / Director
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.
Source text verified
Government responseDue 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.
Recorded status: In progress
Topic: Estate
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
2022
Published 1 Dec 2023
Population 37
· Self-harm 5
· Concerns
2021
Published 5 Oct 2022
Population 14
· Self-harm 3
· Concerns
2020
Published 22 Jun 2021
Population 30
· Self-harm 9
· Concerns