Accommodation and facilities
Detainees are held in a safe, clean and decent environment. They are offered varied meals according to their individual requirements. The facility encourages activities to promote mental well-being.
The following indicators describe evidence that may show this expectation being met. They do not exclude other ways of achieving it.
- The environment of the facility is not oppressive and is suitable for a detainee population. Access to fresh air is limited only by the requirements of safety.
- The facility is properly ventilated, kept at a comfortable temperature and provides a separate no smoking area, or is no smoking.
- Detainees have access to single sex sanitation and washing facilities that are clean and in working order, and that afford privacy.
- Detainees have free access to basic toiletries and sanitary products and there are nappy changing facilities for babies.
- All detainees can easily and quickly gain staff attention in an emergency.
- Detainees’ property is stored securely and is properly accounted for.
- Sufficient comfortable beds and seating areas are provided for the number held during the day and overnight and are suitable and in a good state of repair.
- Families are normally held together even in cases when individual family members are over 18.22 Families are able to eat together as a unit and are located in shared or adjoining rooms.
22The term ‘families’ is used here in a broad sense and may, for example, include unmarried and same sex couples.
The following indicators describe evidence that may show this expectation being met. They do not exclude other ways of achieving it.
- Those detained for several hours are offered a hot meal.
- Food is healthy, varied, balanced and suitable for the detainees’ diverse needs.
- Snacks and hot and cold drinks are freely available.
- Detainees are able to register any food complaints in their own language and complaints are regularly checked by a manager.
- All areas where food is stored, prepared or served are properly equipped and well managed.
The following indicators describe evidence that may show this expectation being met. They do not exclude other ways of achieving it.
- There are sufficient activities and facilities to enable detainees to occupy themselves.
- Detainees have access to books, newspapers and dictionaries in a range of languages, as well as TVs and DVDs.
- Detainees held for several hours have access to exercise in the fresh air.
- Suitable recreational activities are provided for children, which include exercise, play opportunities and access to the fresh air.