A report by the Chief Inspector of Prisons has revealed that male detainees at Dungavel immigration removal centre in South Lanarkshire have been caught looking through the windows of women's bedrooms. The inspection found that 43% of women at the centre feel unsafe in outside areas, with many unable to move around without a staff escort while men had free movement.
Key Findings of the Report
Charlie Taylor, the Chief Inspector of Prisons, issued the report warning that female asylum seekers are being put at risk of harm. Inspectors witnessed male detainees peering into women's bedroom windows and a group of men approached to ask why they could not mix with female detainees. The centre also held a man assessed to pose a risk of harm to women during the inspection, and another with impending prosecutions for sexual offences had been held there for over a year until shortly before.
One woman told inspectors: "We can(not) go outside because of the males and our time to do things are quick because of them." Some women said they never left the female unit unless absolutely necessary, while others were reluctant even when escorted.
Concerns First Raised in 2021
Concerns about Dungavel were first raised in 2021 when Mr Taylor warned that female detainees were being forced to mix with men with a history of sexual violence due to Covid restrictions. The new report highlights ongoing issues with the treatment of women in immigration detention.
As of December 2025, Home Office figures show that 119 women were being held in immigration removal centres and residential short-term holding facilities. The report also criticised staff for moving women across the country late at night, with little regard for their health or the appropriateness of the transfer. Women who were pregnant, physically unwell, or at risk of self-harm or suicide were transferred, with one woman describing the process as "psychological torture."
Use of Handcuffs Criticised
Inspectors found "concerning practices" around the use of handcuffs, including the handcuffing of a pregnant woman. Mr Taylor said: "Far fewer women than men are held in immigration detention in the UK, and, as a result, their experiences are still largely shaped by policies designed for men. This report outlines where current processes fall short for women, but also what is working well. In the facilities we visited for this review, we found compassionate and committed staff working hard to support a complex population. We hope our findings will help the Home Office and its contractors continue to improve the support for these very vulnerable detainees."
