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Devon, Cornwall and Dorset court custody facilities

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Inspection report - Devon, Cornwall and Dorset court custody facilities (PDF, 983.0 KB)

Report on an inspection visit to court custody facilities in Devon, Cornwall and Dorset court custody facilities (2-14 March 2026)

What we found (Back to top)

Court custody agencies continued to work well together, with a clear focus on detainee welfare and conditions. Staff were committed to meeting detainees’ needs, despite fatigue and frustration caused by unpredictable and often long working hours. The geography of the region continued to hinder effective delivery and was further complicated by issues in recruiting and retaining staff.

More positively, facilities were clean, food and health care had improved and children were rarely held. Detainees in Devon and Cornwall could access support from CASS+ (Community Advice & Support Service).

Points to note: Many detainees were delivered late to court, which disrupted the scheduling of court business and meant they frequently spent too long in custody. Limited spaces in reception prisons resulted in out‑of‑area placements or overnight stays in police cells.