Dover immigration centre ‘making progress’

The prison procedures are becoming a thing of the past in the Dover immigration removal centre (IRC), according to the latest report from the Chief Inspector of Prisons. The Dover Immigration Removal Centre is one of three Immigration Removal Centres in the UK that are administered by the Prison service.

The report details the findings of an unannounced inspection of the UK immigration centre. The follow-up inspection reveals that the IRC has made progress since 2004 in moving away from prison culture, and has made progress in implementing procedures that are appropriate to immigration detainees.

The progress made at the IRC includes improved first night arrangements for detainees. The IRC has also taken measures to reduce the risk of detainees absconding. Management procedures for self-harm cases and suicide cases have also been improved. Finally, significant freedom of movement for detainees within the IRC is now possible due to the installation of a new perimeter fence.

Recommendations in the report include extension of a Welfare Officer pilot scheme from the Haslar IRC to the UK’s other IRCs. The pilot scheme has resulted in improved organisation of the return of detainees to their home countries, and a more successfully planned release of detainees.

Recommendations also include a call for funding rewarded voluntary work to a greater extent, and the introduction of paid work.

The report also detailed concerns about the quality of catering and the lack of satisfactory communal dining facilities at the IRC. The practice of locking up detainees in their units for extended periods of time is also a problem. Also of concern were shortfalls with the centre’s standards of cleanliness. The report indicated that risks were posed by the arrival of ex-prisoner detainees at the Dover IRC without information about their background.

The report questions the need for staff to wear prison uniforms, or for that matter, carry staves.