The Chief Inspector of Prisons has released her first report on four immigration removal centres and the fast-track asylum processing unit at Oakington.
Below are the main verdicts for each of the centres, based on inspections carried out early last year.
Tinsley House, near Gatwick, West Sussex
- Essentially a safe place where detainees experienced a good standard of custodial care
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Detainees treated with respect and provided with adequate healthcare and chances to practise their religion
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Their security undermined because they could not easily find out about the progress of their case, receive help with welfare problems outside the centre or access specialist legal advice
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Detainees not well prepared for release or transfer
Haslar Immigration Removal Centre, Gosport, Hampshire
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Not enough help for detainees to settle or to provide them with an environment in which they were safe
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Staff were "disengaged" and the quality of the accommodation poor
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Lack of information about cases, restricted visiting times
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Random strip searches after visits
Oakington Reception Centre, Longstanton, Cambridgeshire
- Essentially a place of safety providing a high standard of custodial care
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Needs and dignity of detainees respected, apart from splitting of families during and after detention
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Access to on-site case information
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Could be more structured activities
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More preparation and notice needed for people leaving the centre
Campsfield House Immigration Removal Centre, Kidlington, Oxfordshire
- Could not conclude it was a place of safety, "mainly because of poor levels of supervision and despite the best efforts of staff"
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Detainees treated with respect
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Blindness to welfare needs outside the centre
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Lack of information about cases or access to competent independent legal advice
- Good level of constructive activity
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Inadequate preparation for release, transfer or deportation
Lindholme Immigration Removal Centre, near Doncaster, South Yorkshire
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"Was not a healthy establishment for detainees"
- Fundamental and far-reaching changes needed to bring it up to the standard expected
- Not a place or safety, nor as secure environment as possible for people struggling to cope with indeterminate detention
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Difference between immigration detainees and prisoners not well enough appreciated
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Not enough ways of keeping in touch with the outside world and preparing for release, transfer or deportation.
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