This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Barlinnie prison report published
03/10/2003
A report on Barlinnie Prison which describes a full
inspection in May was published today.
The HMCIP report draws attention to the refurbishment of
Halls to provide integral sanitation and electricity in
cells; good relationships between staff and prisoners, and
a determination by staff to cope with very high
numbers.
However, "slopping out" remains in two Halls, some
prisoners are locked up for very long periods of time and
many of the prisoners in the very bad conditions have not
been convicted of a crime, being held in Barlinnie on
remand.
Scotland's Chief Inspector of Prisons Andrew McLellan
said that the prison had made progress since the last
inspection, but despite significant investment, it had not
yet changed enough.
Dr McLellan continued:
"Overcrowding and the issue of drugs, particularly the
provision of medication pervades much of the prison's
work. This report makes a very positive assessment of much
good work being carried out to deal with addiction
problems.
"It also concludes that staff are determined to cope
with the very high numbers, and not merely cope, but
generally seek to develop relationships with prisoners
which are relaxed and humane.
"However, some prisoners are still locked up for very
long periods of time (sometimes up to 23 hours a day) in
very poor conditions. 'Slopping out' exists in two Halls
and most of the prisoners who have no integral sanitation
are also the victims of the chronic overcrowding: so nearly
all of these prisoners are sharing a cell. The 'holding'
cubicles in Reception are not acceptable.
"There have been real efforts to make useful work
accessible to more convicted prisoners in Barlinnie; and to
make other aspects of the regime - programmes, education,
and so on - more accessible as well. The refurbishment of
Halls other than 'A' Hall and Letham has provided
conditions which are clean and decent.
"The number of assaults in the prison is high and Key
Performance Indicators have not been met. Various measures
have been put in place to deal with this. There had been
no escapes since the last inspection.
"Overall, levels of overcrowding, movements of prisoners
in and out of the prison, and the issue of drugs make the
day to day running of the prison difficult and can lead to
a reduction in regime. The practice of "slopping out" has
been repeatedly condemned in Inspectorate reports; yet it
still exists in two Halls in Barlinnie. That could mean up
to a maximum of 425 prisoners. The practice should be
stopped."
Scotland's prisons are subject to regular inspection. A
full inspection normally takes place every three years and
examines all aspects of the establishment.
Follow up inspections are carried out in years where a
full inspection does not take place and these examine
points of note raised in previous inspections, examine
significant changes since then, and explore issues arising
from the establishment'' own assessment of itself.
The inspection of Barlinnie was a full inspection with a
focus on conditions in which prisoners live and on the way
prisoners are treated.
The report is available on the HMIP website
www.scotland.gov.uk/hmip