Recommendations 17 items · 7 repeated
Recommendations were extracted from the report by AI, and responses and their status from the ministerial response by AI. Each recommendation shows whether its wording has been checked against the report.
Addressee: Ministry of Justice · Topic: Estate suitability · Repeated from a previous year
Recommendation (the Board's words)
In the light of the issues and inequalities we have highlighted in this report, to reconsider the suitability of Derwentside as an IRC.
Response (as published)
Not accepted. Recommendation repeated for 2023.
Addressee: Ministry of Justice · Topic: Detention policy · Repeated from a previous year
Recommendation (the Board's words)
To introduce a time limit for immigration detention
Response (as published)
Not accepted. Recommendation repeated for 2023.
Addressee: Home Office · Topic: Estate/Facilities · Repeated from a previous year
Recommendation (the Board's words)
Not to open a new immigration removal centre or other such establishment until all building work is completed and all facilities available for use
Response (as published)
Partially accepted. Outstanding building work is not complete and facilities are still not available for use by detained women.
Addressee: Home Office · Topic: Mental health · Repeated from a previous year
Recommendation (the Board's words)
To the detention gatekeeper: not to detain women with current, or a history of, serious mental health issues
Response (as published)
Not accepted. Recommendation repeated for 2023.
Addressee: Home Office · Topic: Resettlement · Repeated from a previous year
Recommendation (the Board's words)
To establish or improve pathways with local authorities and other external agencies, including probation, to enable prompt access to housing, social support and other services, which are required to be put in place before vulnerable women leave detention
Response (as published)
Accepted. Pathways will [therefore] be established and strengthened on a case-by-case basis, taking account of the needs of individual residents. Substantial delays in securing release accommodation still being experienced by vulnerable women. Recommendation repeated for 2023.
Addressee: Home Office · Topic: Communications · Repeated from a previous year
Recommendation (the Board's words)
To improve the communications infrastructure for Derwentside
Response (as published)
Accepted. Plans are in place to introduce Wi-Fi calling at Derwentside IRC. A pilot for the system is taking place at Gatwick IRC, with all infrastructure in place already. Timescales for roll out at Derwentside will be dependent on the outcomes of this pilot, but this is a priority piece of work that will proceed as soon as possible. No progress at Derwentside. Recommendation repeated for 2023.
Addressee: Home Office · Topic: Purposeful activity
Recommendation (the Board's words)
To increase the hourly rate for paid work for detained women.
Addressee: Home Office · Topic: Escorts/Transfers
Recommendation (the Board's words)
To take steps with the escorting contractor to reduce the incidence of night-time moves into and out of Derwentside.
Addressee: Home Office · Topic: Escorts/Transfers
Recommendation (the Board's words)
To reduce the number of moves experienced by detained women around the detention estate and to ensure that women understand where they are being moved to, and why.
Addressee: Governor / Director · Topic: Education/Activities
Recommendation (the Board's words)
To increase and improve the provision for, and women’s access to, education and activities.
Addressee: Governor / Director · Topic: Purposeful activity
Recommendation (the Board's words)
To take steps to encourage and increase the uptake of paid employment.
Addressee: Governor / Director · Topic: Equality · Repeated from a previous year
Recommendation (the Board's words)
To improve communications with detained women whose first language is not English.
Response (as published)
Partially accepted. Some improvement with the introduction of kiosks, but concerns remain around availability and use of translation tablets. No pilot of more advanced translation tablets. Recommendation repeated for 2023.
Addressee: Governor / Director · Topic: Food
Recommendation (the Board's words)
To improve the quality and variety of the food served to the detained women.
Addressee: Governor / Director · Topic: Food
Recommendation (the Board's words)
To ensure that the processes for identifying and catering for food allergies are completely failsafe.
Addressee: Governor / Director · Topic: Reception
Recommendation (the Board's words)
To make better use of the offices in reception to provide a quieter environment for new arrivals.
Addressee: NHS / Healthcare Provider · Topic: Healthcare/Rule 35
Recommendation (the Board's words)
To ensure that all residents are made aware of rule 35 on arrival to enable access to a medical practitioner and provision of reports to case-owners as soon as possible after arrival in detention.
Addressee: Other, other · Topic: Escorts/Transfers
Recommendation (the Board's words)
To take steps to reduce the incidence of night-time moves into and out of Derwentside.