Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government why those who have been approved as official visitors to Hassockfield Immigration Removal Centre in Country Durham are required to sign the Official Secrets Act, and how should any concerns be raised and people be held accountable if visitors are unable to report anything publicly.

The Detention Centre Rules 2001 regulate how immigration removal centres are operated, with the overall purpose of the rules being to ensure a secure and humane environment. The safety, security and welfare of staff and detained individuals are of vital importance in the operation of the immigration removal estate, and this includes the strict regulation of those entering and working in immigration removal centres, under Rule 53 of the Detention Centre Rules.

Members of Independent Monitoring Boards, who are appointed by the Home Secretary under section 152 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, are required to sign the Official Secrets Act as part of the Home Office clearance process. The published Detention Services Order (DSO) ‘Whistleblowing – The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (c.23)’ sets out guidance for Home Office staff, our suppliers and visitors on whistleblowing procedures.

All those detained in immigration removal centres (IRCs), including Derwentside IRC, have access to independent interpreting services. As set out in DSO 06/2013 “Reception, Induction and Discharge’, professional interpreting facilities must be used whenever language barriers are identified on reception, induction, or discharge. New operational guidance, Detention Services Order ‘Interpretation Services and use of Translation Devices’ will be published shortly. This guidance will set out the provisions, including interpretation services and translation devices, available for individuals held in immigration detention and the circumstances in which these should be used.

All IRCs have dedicated health facilities run by doctors and nurses which are managed by the NHS, or appropriate providers, and deliver trauma informed mental health services, where appropriate. A range of trauma informed services are provided at Derwentside IRC, including trauma stabilisation, trauma informed cognitive behavioural therapy and services for sexual abuse crisis. The services available are supplemented by guidance and advice on trauma informed restorative practice being provided to onsite staff, from a specialist external organisation.

In addition to published guidance, staff at all centres are also given training and support to proactively identify and act upon indicators of vulnerability at the earliest opportunity and Detainee Custody Officers at Derwentside IRC receive trauma informed training as part of their induction and refresher training courses, to ensure effective and supportive engagement with residents. Welfare teams are onsite at every IRC to assist detained individuals in accessing support specific to their needs.