This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Cornton Vale Prison
27/05/2004
Cornton Vale Prison has borne the brunt of the rapid
increase in the number of female prisoners in Scotland,
according to the
latest report
from the Chief Inspector of Prisons published today.
Dr McLellan's report on Cornton Vale Prison and YOI
describes a follow up inspection in February 2004 and draws
attention to:
• The startling growth in the number of female
prisoners since 2002
• The alarming number of women admitted with mental
health problems, addiction problems and/or a history of
being abused
However, the report also welcomes:
• The attractive new Independent Living Unit
• Steps taken to reduce the dangers of self harm
• And the comprehensive and impressive addictions
strategy now in place.
Dr McLellan said:
"Staff at Cornton Vale are putting in a great deal of
energy into promote change. New day care provision with
mental health support in Ross House, a new addictions
strategy, the refurbishment of Younger Hall and of some of
Peebles Hall and the development of the Links Centre are
all beginning to make their marks on the prisoners' lives.
A new Independent Living Unit, which opened just before the
last inspection, provides extremely good living conditions
for women who have progressed through the prison. It also
provides opportunities for prisoners to work outside the
prison.
"However, 90 per cent of admissions have addictions
problems, 80 per cent have a history of mental illness and
over 60 per cent have a history of being abused. The
question has to be asked: what will the prison do for them?
A prison is not a psychiatric hospital and it is not an
addiction treatment centre. Nevertheless, the developments
in meeting the needs of these women when they are admitted
to Cornton Vale are impressive. And all of this has to be
put in the context of rapidly increasing prisoner numbers.
In 1990 there were 137 women prisoners in Scotland. At the
time of this inspection there were 340.
"The last inspection report drew attention to the
difficulties of toilet access in some parts of the prison
at night, and sometimes during the day. This situation is
as bad now as it was then. In parts of the prison over a
quarter of women who seek access to a toilet at night will
have to wait for more than 30 minutes. Some have to wait
considerably longer. This needs to be addressed. Similarly,
the quality of food and provision of a productive regime
for Young Offenders are in need of attention.
"Overall, however, there is a clear sense of direction
in the management of Cornton Vale and progress has been
made in a number of areas since the last inspection."
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's own assessment of itself.
The inspection of Cornton Vale was a follow up
inspection with a focus on conditions in which prisoners
live and on the way prisoners are treated.
Copies of Reports can be found on the Inspectorate's
website:
www.scotland.gov.uk/hmip