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Dungavel immigration removal centre


Address and contact information

Photo of Dungavel immigration removal centre

Dungavel 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 immigration removal centre (IRC) in September 2001.

UK Border Agency manager: Lee Beach

Contact information

Dungavel is managed by GEO on behalf of the UK Border Agency.

Reception times: 24 hours

Bed spaces - 217

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 and crafts, world cuisine (separate kitchen annex), IT 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 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 with a duty nurse present 24 hours a day and an on-call doctor on standby.
  • 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 facilities

  • An optician is also appointed to attend the centre on a fortnightly basis.

  • there are several paid work opportunities available including hygiene monitors, grounds officers 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 6 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 - GEO provide a bus service between the removal centre and Hamilton bus and railway station. The service will operate each day of the week commencing at 13:30 with the last bus departing the removal centre at 21:00 each day. The journey time is 30 minutes.

    Timetable:

    13:00 depart Hamilton 13:30 arrive Dungavel
    15:30 depart Dungavel 16:00 arrive Hamilton
    16:00 depart Hamilton 16:30 arrive Dungavel
    18:15 depart Dungavel 18:45 arrive Hamilton
    18:45 depart Hamilton 19:15 arrive Dungavel
    20:30 depart Dungavel 21:00 arrive Hamilton

    Visits

    Tel: 01698 395 000

    Social visits - 13:30 to 20:30

    Visitors do not need to book, but it is often helpful if a visitor is using the bus to call and notify GEO. 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 1 of the following; a passport (including foreign passports and travel documents recognised by HM Government European Community), an identity card, or a photographic driving licence (paper and photograph sections). Or 2 of the following; birth/marriage certificate, rail or 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 or a 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 GEO 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: 09:00 to 12:00 then 13:30 to 21:00. Separate rooms available.


    Other information

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

    GEO 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.