Source · IMB Annual Report
Gatwick pre-departure accommodation
Year: 2023
Published: 11 Oct 2024
Type: Prison · Cat IRC (Pre-Departure Accommodation)
Recommendations: 3
Key concerns
Positive findings
The IMB report for Gatwick Pre-Departure Accommodation for 2023 highlights concerns regarding the detention of four families, all of whose removal attempts failed. The Board questions the fairness and humanity of the process, particularly noting the trauma to children and callous treatment of a pregnant mother. Key recommendations include the closure of the PDA and prohibiting the detention of pregnant women.
Safety statistics
| Indicator | This year | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| ACCT cases opened | 2 | — |
| Use of force | 0 | — |
Positive findings
The physical conditions of the Pre-Departure Accommodation (PDA) are good, and families were treated with empathy and care by Serco and Practice Plus Group (PPG) staff. Staff efforts to soften the environment for children, including wearing casual attire, were noted positively. The PDA is spacious, child-friendly, and offers an outdoor space and kitchen facilities for families to prepare their own meals. The Board also commends the care shown in arranging accommodation and support for Family C's return home after their release.
Key concerns
Other
The Board questions any perceived safeguarding or other value of using the PDA immediately before family removals and has concerns about the fairness and humanity of detaining families with children.
Mental Health
Use of the PDA in the removals process may actually prolong or add to trauma already experienced.
Equality/Diversity
Despite efforts to use professional interpretation, children sometimes find themselves interpreting for their parents with staff, and thereby taking on responsibilities beyond their years, resulting in unfair and unequal treatment for children.
Healthcare
The protracted and iterative nature of the Home Office decision-making process resulted in callous treatment and unnecessary suffering for a pregnant mother and unknown impact on her three young children.
Mental Health
Concerns about the impact of detention on the mental and emotional well-being of all members of the families held in the PDA as part of the family returns process, with particular concerns for the impact on the detained children.
Other
In the Board’s view, the stress and anxiety caused to Family B by their detention seemed without purpose.
Regime/Time Out of Cell
The very high proportion of failed removals of families using the PDA does not suggest there are benefits which would outweigh the distress caused by its use.
Other
The Home Office excluded the IMB from a "lessons learned" review after the failed removal of Family A, despite the IMB's independent perspective being valuable for learning.
Recommendations
| # | Recommendation | Addressee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The PDA should be closed and not be used as part of the process for family removals. | Other | |
| 2 | Pregnant women should not be detained in the PDA or any similar pre-departure accommodation. | Other | |
| 3 |
The Board repeats the recommendation since 2017 for the minister to consider the establishment of an independent system for monitoring the arrest and transfer of families.
Repeated
Response
This recommendation was not accepted by the minister, on the ground that there is a sufficient amount of ‘independent monitoring already available’. |
Other |
Other reports for Gatwick pre-departure accommodation
Report details
- Establishment
- Gatwick pre-departure accommodation
- Type
- Prison · Cat IRC (Pre-Departure Accommodation)
- Report year
- 2023
- Published
- 11 October 2024
- Responsible body
- Gatwick Pre-Departure Accommodation
- Recommendations
- 3
Population
| Operational capacity | 2 |
Service providers
Escort and transport
Mitie Care & Custody
Healthcare
Practice Plus Group (PPG)
Management
Serco Ltd
Support/Information
Hibiscus Initiatives