Other
Repeated
Our main concern this year was that BF have consistently failed to give the IMB access to detention records, primarily at Poole and Cardiff, which made it impossible to monitor effectively. We raised these concerns repeatedly.
Other
Repeated
We received no answers to our questions from July to December 2024. This was a matter of significant concern, as it prevented the IMB from monitoring effectively. It is still the case that we do not get prompt answers, although BF has retrospectively addressed most concerns.
Safety
Repeated
In addition to being notified about planned and spontaneous Use of Force, we asked BF to provide information about the Use of Force against detained people as part of the monthly data sheet. This was not provided and therefore prevented us from monitoring this important area effectively. We were not notified about the one incident of Use of Force with a non-compliant detained person.
Estate/Conditions
Repeated
The facilities where detained people are held were sufficient except:
• At Poole, where the absence of heating was a long-term issue that needed addressing.
• At Portsmouth, where issues with failures to provide hot water and soap were a frequent occurrence and compromised the health and safety of detained people.
• At Bristol, where the inadequate arrangement for storing bedding was an issue.
Food/Catering
Repeated
During the year, the inability to provide hot food and drinks at all sites, and for protracted periods at some sites, was a concern for the IMB. All locations were able to serve snacks and cold drinks throughout, but the IMB are of the opinion that hot food and hot drinks should be available at all STHFs, especially as some detained people may have had a long and arduous journey and may be detained for a lengthy period.
Overcrowding
The expansion in passenger numbers at Bristol Airport will impact on the capacity of the detention facilities, and the IMB was not reassured this would be addressed.
Equality/Diversity
The Disability Access Reviews, which took place during 2023/24, identified deficiencies at all sites. However, of those, the report indicated where facilities were not required to meet current regulations. The IMB will draw attention to conditions that are considered detrimental to those detained, whether or not the organisation is required to meet current regulations.
Healthcare
Repeated
The arrangements for assessment and treatment of health conditions at all sites is inadequate. The main issue has been that detained people who are holding any form of medication have this taken away from them and often, although BF are prompt to seek advice, they are not allowed to take the medication. This potentially can have an impact on someone’s health.
Staffing
Repeated
We were concerned that staffing levels, particularly at Bristol Airport, were sometimes insufficient to allow detained people to be transferred to the more comfortable STHF from the CWA. We have noted an improvement although staffing levels at weekends seem less flexible.
Safety
Repeated
We were concerned that children had to sometimes wait for a considerable time in detention waiting for Social Services to attend. This year we found that the range of time waiting, between Social Services being called and arriving, ranged between less than two hours and over six hours. There was still room for improvement.
Other
Repeated
We were concerned that detention records were often incomplete or inaccurate. There has been some improvement in the accuracy of record keeping, but there were still occasions when key information was missing.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
We noted that detained people were waiting for transport provided by Mitie Care & Custody (the company contracted to provide transport to other immigration detention facilities) or Clearsprings (the Government provider responsible for organising transfers between detention facilities and asylum accommodation) often led to extended detention times.