STAFF at an immigration removal centre have been praised in an annual report – but ‘serious concerns’ over some issues remain.

The Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) released its 2016 report of The Verne IMC yesterday and found that, overall, it is a ‘well-run establishment where detainees are treated with decency, fairness and respect’.

But the report highlights that the accommodation given to detainees with mental health issues, or who may have contagious diseases could be ‘considerably improved’ and concerns were also raised over the number of detainees who are being transported to and from the Portland centre at night.

Figures published in the report reveal that, in 2016, there were 4,016 transfers in or out of the centre between the hours of 8pm and 6am, in comparison with 7,308 transfers in day-time hours.

Janice Pavitt, IMB chairman at IRC The Verne, said in the report: This year we have placed particular emphasis on highlighting lengthy and convoluted journeys and especially those that take place between IRCs during the night. We feel that rarely are these night moves necessary, and that they are both inhumane and disrespectful.

“Many detainees arrive, or leave, in an anxious, confused and tired state.”

There are also concerns that the Care and Separation Unit (CSU) is being used to isolate detainees for medical reasons, due to the accommodation not being fit for purpose. The report describes how one member of the board witnessed the ‘shocked’ reaction of an infection control nurse who was assessing the premises.

Last year, 42 men were isolated here in ‘prison-like cells’ for five days or more while tests for TB were carried out. Of these, only one man tested positive for the disease.

Work on a more suitable care suite has begun, the report states, but ‘progress is slow’.

But the board did praise staff who work in the CSU. The report noted: “The board continues to be impressed by the quality and care given by the staff in the CSU in the context of difficult physical conditions, and challenging behaviour with which they are often presented. The staff handle these with professionalism, patience and good humour and frequently act more as carers than as IRC officers.”

While there is still a ‘substantial use’ of illegal substances, the team tackling this has also been praised, with the report finding that incidences of substance abuse are falling. But reports of assaults on staff are increasing, with a ‘very serious assault’ recorded on an officer in May 2016.

There were also a number of reports regarding extremism.

The board has made a number of recommendations regarding its concerns but concluded that, overall, the board is ‘satisfied that fairness and respect is a prime consideration for those in detention at The Verne’.