Centre’s ‘shabby’ state takes the shine off report

Inspectors have praised the standard of care at Scotland’s only detention centre, but noted staff shortages and the need for refurbishment at the facility.

Dungavel House immigration removal centre, near Strathaven in South Lanarkshire, held around 80 people when visited in July.

Many parts of the centre, run by GEO Group on behalf of the Home Office, were said to be “shabby” and in need of repair.

The relationship between detainees and staff was described as “excellent” and “a key strength” of the centre, which opened in 2001. It was last visited by inspectors in 2015. HM Chief Inspector of Prisons Peter Clarke said: “We were pleased to see that the positive, welfare-focused staff culture seen previously had been maintained.

“This is a precious resource that custodial institutions often struggle to embed, and it was therefore concerning to find indications of a more frustrated and often tired staff group. Their generally positive comments to inspectors were punctuated by unhappiness at persistent staff shortages and the lack of investment in Dungavel.”

Inspectors noted little use of force at the centre. They said while many detainees said they felt unsafe, this was due to the uncertainty of their situation rather than a fear of harm.