Lindholme (HM Prison)

Lindholme Prison, situated near Hatfield Woodhouse in the Metropolitan Borough of Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England, is a split site comprising a category C medium security prison and an Immigration Removal Centre.

History

Formerly an RAF Station built in 1942 to house and operate bombers, during its lifetime Lindholme was home to the RAF Bomber Command Bombing School (BCBS) & also the RAF Navigation School. BCBS moved out in 1972, and RAF Lindholme became a radar installation with its hangars converted over for storage, eventually being downgraded to a relief glider landing field and closing altogether shortly thereafter. It re-opened as a prison in 1985. Most of the original buildings and hangars are still in use as accommodation, offices and workshops.

The Prison

The prison lies on the A614, approximately 8 miles due east of Doncaster and three miles south from Hatfield, South Yorkshire. Lindholme houses up to 730 prisoners, shortly to increase to nearly 1000 with new wings being constructed. The old Officers Mess building forms the central part of the Immigration Removal Centre, dealing with the holding and subsequent deportation of illegal immigrants. The old married quarters for the airmen now form a residential estate.

Reports on the IRC

A damning report into the treatment of detainees at Lindholme Immigration Removal Centre was made in February 2004, see article The living conditions were said to be poor and movement around the centre was restricted unnecessarily.It was reported that one member of staff described north African detainees as “donkeys”, and often made "animal sounds” at all detainees. Other members of staff were not reported to have expressed racist attitudes. However, the report highlighted that the staff were not appropriately educated to understand the needs of those held in immigration removal centres. A unannounced follow up inspection in July 2007 reported some positive changes as well as many areas still in need of essential improvements. One of Anne Owner's criticisms, highlighted in the press was the use of wooden staves to enforce discipline.

External links

• HM Prison Service - Locate a Prison - Lindholme