Dungavel House holds up to 249 detainees, a small number of whom (14) are women. It is the only such centre in Scotland. Previous inspections have reported on good outcomes for detainees and this more recent inspection found these positive outcomes were maintained. Inspectors' main concern was about matters that were largely outside of the control of the contractor, namely some very long periods in detention and some decisions to maintain detention of very vulnerable detainees. It is to the centre's credit that detainees described their treatment in Dungavel in very positive terms.

Inspectors made 62 repeated and new recommendations.

Main recommendation To the Home Office

*Rule 35 reports should include diagnostic findings and be given due weight by Home Office decision makers. Detainees who have experienced torture or who have serious health issues should not be detained.

Inspectors were concerned to find that:

-  some extended stays resulted from avoidable casework delays, a situation compounded by the variable quality of Rule 35 reports, which are meant to address whether detention is likely to be injurious to a detainee's health and to address the potential experience of torture in the detainee's home country; -  escort contractors continued to transport detainees during the night, which was poor practice; and -  the small number of women were held  in a separate unit staffed by women officers, and although their individual needs were being met, there was no specific policy that could have provided ongoing assurance of appropriate strategic oversight and accountability.

Inspectors were pleased to find that:

-  Dungavel was a safe place and detainees received a supportive welcome in their early days and were given help to deal with immediate problems;

-  security was applied proportionately, violence was low, those at risk of self-harm were well cared for and force was rarely used;

-  there were comprehensive safeguarding and child protection arrangements in place and access to legal support was better than inspectors usually see;

-  the environment was relaxed, relationships between staff and detainees were excellent and there was good consultation with various groups and nationalities;

-  detainees had excellent access to the grounds and facilities and the information and learning centre was welcoming; and

-  welfare support  had improved further and detainees could get help seven days a week.

Nick Hardwick said: "At recent inspections we have reported on good outcomes for detainees at this institution and these positive outcomes were maintained. Indeed, our main concern was about matters that were largely outside of the control of the contractor, namely some very long periods of detention and some decisions to maintain detention of very vulnerable detainees. These included a documented victim of torture and a woman with serious health issues. It is to the centre's credit that in our confidential survey and discussions with detainees, they nevertheless described their treatment in Dungavel in positive terms."    READ THE FULL REPORT HERE