1.  INTRODUCTION

  Dungavel House Immigration Removal Centre is situated near the town of Strathaven in South Lanarkshire, Scotland.

  Formerly the Duke of Hamilton's Hunting Lodge, and then a Category D Scottish Prison Service Establishment, it was refurbished in 2001 by the Home Office to accommodate Immigration detainees.

  Premier Detention Services has the Contract to operate the Centre which opened on 3 September 2001. The Company is required to apply the Detention Centre Rules 2001.

  The accommodation consists of dormitory accommodation for 72 males and 14 females in the Main House. In addition there are dedicated family rooms with a capacity for 62 individuals in a separate building making 148 available spaces.

  One hundred and sixteen staff are employed at the Centre and all staff undergo a full Training Programme before they commence their duties.

  Premier employs a Cultural Adviser whose task is to advise the Centre Manager on cultural and religious matters, including dietary requirements.

  Premier recognises the individuality and dignity of all detainees. Dungavel operates an inclusive regime and involves detainees in various aspects of the management of the Centre such as Race Relations and Activities.

  The Leisure Centre caters for both sexes, all ages and all abilities. For example favourite activities such as football are provided as well as cricket, discos, cinema, bingo nights and scaletrix.

  The catchment area of Dungavel is all of Scotland and some of Northern England. Currently there are no detainees in Scottish Prisons. Many of Dungavel"s detainees are picked up in the community, some at various ports and the remainder transferred from Immigration Establishments elsewhere in the United Kingdom.

  Based at the Centre is a Home Office Contract Monitor and Deputy Monitor. The Immigration staff consist of one Chief and four Immigration Officers, providing cover seven days per week.

  There is a Visiting Committee in place who maintain a high profile amongst both detainees and staff. The purpose of the Visiting Committee is as an independent watchdog.

  The visits facility is open seven afternoons and evenings a week. A Bus Service is provided from the local station to the Centre for families and visitors.

  For those detainees who do not have visitors an active "Befrienders" Scheme is in place.

  We encourage access for interested organisations such as the Scottish Refugee Council and Immigration Advisory Service.

2.  REMOVALS

  Since opening in September 2001 Dungavel has seen 1,492 detainees pass through its doors. Of that number 68% were adult males, 18% adult female and 14% children.

  Length of stay varies. There is normally a 120% turnover each month with up to half all detainees having been at the Centre under three weeks. The longest staying resident has been with us 30 weeks.

  Of these 1,492 approximately 1/3 have been released into the community, either bailed or temporary admission into the community, 1/3 have been directly deported from local airports, Glasgow and Edinburgh, and 1/3 have been transferred to other Centres. Detainees have been deported from Dungavel to 67 countries. The main countries people have returned to are Poland, Pakistan, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Lithuania and Hungary.

  Of these transferring to other Centres most were to Harmondsworth pending removal from Heathrow Airport. All transportation is conducted by Wackenhut UK or Loss Prevention International.

  The majority of detainees are given removal directions a number of days in advance. All detainees have 24 hour access to telephone so they have opportunity to consult with family, friends and legal counsel. Removal Directions are given personally to detainees by an Immigration Officer.

  In many cases the detainees want to go back to their country of origin. The majority of detainees leave the Centre quietly with no problems. Those who resist present particular management challenges within the dormitory accommodation and open regime. Often prior intelligence is received, from other detainees or via staff observation and interaction, concerning refusals. These are then managed by staff according to the individual circumstances.

  Since Dungavel opened in September 2001, use of Authorised Force, (Control and Restraint), has been used on 10 occasions to ensure detainees boarded the escort vehicle pending deportation. There have been no occasions when force has had to be used on children.

  Over the same period 16 detainees have either self harmed or threatened to self harm to avoid deportation. One of these self harm incidents was serious requiring hospitalisation for one week.

  These few difficult removals should not detract from the fact that most removals present no problems.

3.  COMPASSIONATE FACTORS

  Provided at Dungavel is 24 hour medical cover plus National Health Service standard provision, including dentistry.

  A number of detainees present medical problems which are either undergoing treatment in the United Kingdom or would commence once diagnosed. Many more believe, or would have staff believe, that they have pressing medical concerns.

  Whereas medical records would normally be forwarded to the appropriate medical authorities this is not always practical in cases where the medical infrastructure in the country of origin is not of a comparable standard.

  Some of the children have had a very disrupted and sometimes rudimentary education. Dungavel operates a "primary school" conforming, where possible, to the Scottish curriculum. It is difficult to provide a fulfilling education provision to children who are only at Dungavel for a short period of time.

  Since opening 3 detainees have been admitted to psychiatric care under the Mental Health Act. Like many areas there is a paucity of mental health places available.

January 2003