Prisions- UK Inspection of UK detention estate
01 March 2003
A report published by Anne Owers, Chief Inspector of Prisons, into the UK detention estate - where refugees and asylum-seekers are held - has made serious criticisms of the safe functioning of the establishments reviewed. The inspection team visited Haslar, Lindholme, Campsfield House, Tynsley House and Oakington. They observed that perceptions of detainee safety were not high anywhere. The inspectors noted with concern that detainees felt particularly unsafe in the two Prison Servicerun centres, Haslar (where 10% felt safe) and Lindholme (15%)
At Haslar, the physical environment was unsafe - many detainees were in dormitories that were in effect cubicles without doors and with nowhere to isolate disturbed individuals. For detainees in all centres (except for Oakington) insecurity was heightened by the fact they were unable to obtain reliable information from the immigration authorities about the reasons for their detention or the progress of their case.
The inspection team noted that it is clear that staff in most centres were not sufficiently alert to, or trained in, the specific needs of immigration detainees. This was particularly apparent at the two Prison Service-run centres, where both the attitudes of staff and the procedures were geared towards offenders. The provision of interpreters and translated information was poor in all the centres except Oakington. A major cause for concern at all centres was the absence of any specific provision to deal with the welfare needs and anxieties of those who had suddenly, and sometimes after extended periods of UK residence, found themselves detained indefinitely. Both Prison Service run centres still randomly strip searched detainees after visits. Healthcare, particularly mental health care, was an issue in most centres. Communication between centres, and with community health services that had provided, or would go on to provide treatment, was often poor.
Chief Inspectorate of Prisons "Inspection of five Immigration Service Custodial Establishments"; National Coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigns press release 8.4.03; see: www.statewatch.org/news/2003/apr/
Detentionestatereport.pdf