A report by the chief inspector of prisons, Anne Owers, also found inadequate provision of childcare and that staff likely to be in contact with children had not undergone enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks.
Owers recommended that all centres should have a comprehensive child protection policy agreed with the local area child protection committee.
In addition, staff in contact with children should receive appropriate training and all staff should undergo enhanced CRB checks, she said.
Home Office minister Des Browne said he took Owers' concerns about child protection issues "particularly seriously". He added: "I will ensure that child protection policies are introduced as soon as possible to these types of facilities. I will also look at how we can extend independent monitoring systems to short-term holding facilities."
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