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Dungavel immigration removal centre


Address and contact information

Photo of Dungavel immigration removal centreDungavel House Immigration Removal Centre
Strathaven
South Lanarkshire
ML10 6RF

Main switchboard number: 01698 395 000.

This number has a menu system which gives various options for information on the centre.

Fax: 01698 395 067

Dungavel is a former Hunting Lodge owned by the Duke of Hamilton, also previously an open prison operated by the Scottish prison service. It was bought by the Home Office in 2000 and opened as an IRC in September 2001.

Contact management team
UKBA Manager - Ella Lyle

Contractor information

Dungavel is managed by G4S on behalf of the Immigration UK Border Agency.
Centre Manager: Ken Paul

Reception times: 24 hours

Bed spaces - 190

Facilities

Photo of Dungavel dining facilities There is a separate learning and resource centre, which caters for an extensive range of activities, such as English classes, sewing, arts & crafts, world cuisine (separate kitchen annex), I.T and the internet cafe.

  • The centre has a well stocked library where the detainees have access to books, magazines, newspapers, CDs, DVDs and play station games.
  • The well equipped gymnasium includes weights, basketball and volleyball.
  • There is an outdoor all-weather floodlit pitch.
  • There is also a children's separate outdoor play-area.
  • There is also a family unit crèche for under-fives
  • There are 2 association rooms on each floor of the accommodation areas which contain satellite TVs and snack-making facilities.
  • Several prayer rooms are provided for detainee use, including the building's original chapel which is used as a multi-faith area.
  • 24 hour medical care is provided on site. There is a nurse on duty 24hours a day (rota) and a doctor on call 24hrs a day.
  • A daily surgery is held which enables all the previous days receptions to be assessed, before/alongside the routine appointments.
  • A dentist is appointed to attend on a weekly basis for routine check-ups and appointments, however emergency dental care is provided if at all required, beyond this weekly schedule.

    Photo of Dungavel bedroom facilitiesAn optician is also appointed to attend the centre on a fortnightly basis.

  • There are several paid work opportunities available including hygiene monitors, grounds oficers.
  • and servery assistants.
  • Care visits and midwives are provided where necessary via outpatient appointments.

    • Directions

    Car - Leave the M74 at junction 8, head for Kilmarnock on the A71, passing Stonehouse and through Strathaven. After the second mini-roundabout in Strathaven take the first left onto the B743. Dungavel is six miles along this road on the left hand side after a row of houses called Hamilton Drive.

    There is no public transport available to the centre.

    Bus - A mini-bus operated by G4S leaves Hamilton Bus Station at 1300; 1600 and 1845.

    It leaves the centre for Hamilton at 1530 and 2030. The journey time is 30 minutes.

    Visits

    Tel: 01698 395 000

    Social visits - 1330 to 2030

    Visitors do not need to book, but it is often helpful if a visitor is using the bus to call and notify G4S. A visitor can stay all afternoon and evening if they wish, there is no time restriction. The evening meal is also available to visitors if they wish to partake.

    All visitors need to bring one of the following; Passport, including foreign passports and travel documents recognised by HM Government European Community identity card; photographic driving license; paper and photograph sections.

    Or two of the following; Birth/marriage certificate; rail/bus pass with photograph; employer's I.D. or student card; young persons proof of age card; trade union membership card; senior citizen travel pass issued by a local authority; benefits book.

    Visitors can bring clothes, toiletries and cash for detainees. They cannot bring food. All other unauthorised items are listed on notices at the gate and visitor?s reception. Any items brought for detainees will be logged and searched, before being given to the detainee by G4S or placed in their stored property. The visitor will receive a receipt for any cash. The visitor cannot personally hand any items to detainees.

    Legal visits: 0900 to 1200 then 1330 to 2100. Separate rooms available.

    Other information

    Detention services now operate a policy which restricts the amount of baggage detainees can have in the centre.

    G4S will keep any valuable property at the detainee's request, including cash. Cash is held in a separate account which detainees can access at any time, or use to buy items in the shop using the cash-less system. Detainees may have a maximum of £20 cash per day in their possession. A currency exchange system is also available at no charge.