Urgent improvements must be made to areas of safety at Derwentside Immigration Removal Centre (IRC), an inspection has found.
Inspectors visiting the County Durham immigration centre, which holds a number of extremely vulnerable women, found shortfalls in areas including the safeguarding policy which did not focus on the particular needs of women. There were also flaws in the process for monitoring those at risk of self-harm or suicide, and documentation was inadequate.
Constant supervision in the cases of highest risk was also not well organised or documented. In one case, inspectors saw a male member of staff, with two female staff members, carrying out constant supervision of a woman whose triggers for self-harm included the presence of men. Oversight of the use of force was also not adequate, including the recording of data.
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Although the centre, which opened in 2021, was found to be providing good care and support to the women detained there, particularly in health care, the centre was let down by gaps in safety procedures. Inspectors also found that although women had mobile phones, reception in the centre was patchy, so that calling was difficult from some units and rooms.
The inspection found that use of video calling was surprisingly low and the centre had not done enough to encourage women to keep in contact with family and friends. The remoteness of Derwentside also meant that there were very few visits.
Chief Inspector of Prisons, Charlie Taylor, said: "Overall the picture at Derwentside was very positive with some really impressive work being done. But this was undermined by gaps in crucial processes relating to safety that just aren’t good enough given the vulnerable women detained there.
"There is also a real risk that, as the number of women held there rises, the fragilities that our inspection identified could lead to real harm. The centre’s leadership, the central Mitie team and the Home Office must act on this."
The site, which held 25 women when inspection took place between 8 and 22 August 2022, was found to have excellent health care, including exceptional effort to use translation, identify vulnerabilities and consider cultural sensitivities.
Inspectors also found that The Home Office engagement team was operating far more effectively than witnessed in other IRCs. Staff were out and about and engaging with women, who were better informed about the progress of their cases than inspectors have witnessed at other centres.
The welfare team also provided a good service which was appreciated by the women, many of whom were distressed by the length of time they were spending in custody, the separation from their families and the uncertainty about their cases. The welfare team worked closely with the charity, Hibiscus, which was able to support women both in detention and after release including ‘start-up’ funds for women who were setting up their own business.
A Home Office spokesperson said: "We welcome the report's positive findings that Derwentside Immigration Removal Centre provides good care and support, with excellent healthcare facilities.
"The high praise for our welfare and engagement teams is testament to their dedication and professionalism.
"Steps are already being taken to address the recommendations in the report, and we are working closely with partners and contractors to ensure the services provided, including safeguarding, are of the highest standard."
A Mitie spokesperson said: "It is positive to see the report acknowledge the friendly and courteous interactions between our colleagues and detainees, and the good support offered to vulnerable women. The safety and wellbeing of those in our care is our top priority, and we appreciate there are areas for us to improve.
"We continue to work closely with the Home Office to resolve the points raised by inspectors, and action is already under way to address their recommendations."
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