Immigration: Inspector concerned over youth welfare
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
The chief inspector of prisons remains "extremely concerned" about the welfare of young people in all the immigration removal centres she has seen.
Anne Owers voiced her concerns in the wake of an unannounced visit to the Dungavel House Immigration Removal Centre in Scotland.
Owers said it was "extremely disappointing" that independent assessments of the welfare of children and young people at the Lanarkshire centre were still not being carried out, despite her recommending such action two years earlier.
Owers also said that the centre needed to develop links with the local authority on environmental projects to offer motivating outdoor activities for 18- to 25-year-old detainees.
Her concerns were echoed in her report last week on Tinsley House Immigration Removal Centre, near Gatwick Airport.
Immigration minister Tony McNulty said: "I want to respond to the recommendations once we have studied both reports."
www.homeoffice.gov.uk/justice/prisons/inspprisons.
