A report by the Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor has revealed that male migrants at the Dungavel immigration removal centre in South Lanarkshire, Scotland, have been looking through women's bedroom windows. The voyeuristic behaviour was witnessed by inspectors during their visit to the facility, which holds both men and women in separate units.
Female Detainees Feel Unsafe
The report found that nearly half of the female asylum seekers at the centre said they felt unsafe. Women reported being unable to move around freely without the protection of a staff escort, while male detainees could go where they pleased. One woman told inspectors: "We can[not] go outside because of the males and our time to do things are quick because of them."
Sex Offenders Held Alongside Women
Alarmingly, the report also found that women were being held alongside men with a history of sexual offences who were due to be deported. Male detainees were also heard asking why they could not "mix with female detainees."
Criticism of Late-Night Transfers
Mr Taylor criticised the practice of transferring vulnerable women between centres across the country late at night. He stated: "In some cases, women who were pregnant, physically unwell or at risk of self-harm or suicide, were transferred with little regard for their health or the appropriateness of the transfer. These journeys could be disruptive and exhausting and could further exacerbate existing health conditions." One woman described the process as "psychological torture."
Home Office Response
As of December 2025, Home Office figures show 119 women were held in immigration removal centres or short-term holding facilities. A Home Office spokesperson said: "We take these findings seriously and are committed to ensuring that the specific needs of women in immigration detention are properly met, including through gender-appropriate staffing, healthcare provision and safeguarding arrangements. Any allegations of inappropriate behaviour or concerns about safety are investigated thoroughly, with additional safeguarding measures put in place where necessary."
