Women unsafe at Dungavel immigration centre in South Lanarkshire

A report by the Chief Inspector of Prisons raised concerns over conditions at Dungavel House Immigration Removal Centre, warning that some female asylum seekers are being placed at risk of harm.

Inspectors found that 43% of women held at the centre said they felt unsafe in outside areas, with some saying they avoided leaving the female unit unless it was necessary.

The report stated that inspectors witnessed male detainees looking through women’s bedroom windows, while a group of men approached staff asking why they could not “mix with female detainees”.

Although Dungavel operates separate male and female units, inspectors found that women faced greater restrictions on their movement, with some requiring staff escorts to access parts of the site while male detainees had more freedom.

One woman told inspectors: “We cannot go outside because of the males and our time to do things is quick because of them.”

The inspection also found that a man assessed as posing a risk of harm to women was being held at the centre at the time of the visit.

Another detainee, who had pending prosecutions for sexual offences, had previously been held there for more than a year.

Concerns about conditions for women at Dungavel were previously raised in 2021, when inspectors warned that female detainees had been required to mix with men with histories of sexual violence during Covid-related restrictions.

The latest report also criticised the treatment of women transferred between immigration detention facilities, including cases involving pregnant women, those with health issues, and people at risk of self-harm.

Inspectors said some transfers were carried out with “little regard” for detainees’ health or wellbeing, with one woman describing the experience as “psychological torture”.

The report also highlighted concerns over the use of handcuffs, including an incident involving a pregnant woman.

Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor said women in immigration detention often have experiences shaped by systems designed primarily around male detainees.

He added that inspectors also found examples of “compassionate and committed staff” working to support a vulnerable group and said the findings would help improve conditions across immigration detention facilities.

The Home Office has not yet publicly responded to all of the report’s findings.