This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Peterhead Prison report published
20/07/2005
Peterhead Prison deserves recognition for progress made
since the last inspection, according to the latest report
from the Chief Inspector of Prisons.
Dr Andrew McLellan's report, which describes a follow up
inspection in March 2005, notes that:
- The installation of electric power in cells is now
complete
- Prisoners are no longer sharing cells
- The new 'top-end' accommodation provides very good
living conditions for a small number of prisoners
- A considerable number of prisoners are
participating in the STOP programme, aimed at tackling
sex offending
Prisoners who do not wish to take part in the STOP
programme are no longer held together in 'B' Hall. This has
removed the stigma of a 'downgrade' hall.
However, he also points out that:
- Prisoners are spending long periods of time locked
up in their cells
- Slopping out continues and the conditions in which
prisoners live will never be decent while this is the
case
- The uncertainty about the future of the prison is
as great as ever
Dr McLellan said:
"The installation of electric power in all cells at
Peterhead is now complete. This marks a significant
improvement in the conditions for prisoners. There is now
no prison in Scotland without electric power in any
cell.
"Slopping out, however, remains. The situation has,
however, improved. Prisoners are no longer sharing cells in
Peterhead and this does make slopping out less disgraceful
than before. But the conditions in which Peterhead
prisoners live will never be decent while slopping out
continues.
"The re-opening of the old Peterhead Unit in the form of
a local 'top-end' facility provides very good conditions
for 10 prisoners, who have access to proper toilets, live
in well-appointed cells, and have a measure of freedom and
responsibility within the unit. In terms of preparing
long-term prisoners for release this marks real
improvement. It is still, however, a very long way short of
pre-release arrangements for prisoners in other
prisons.
"Real improvement can also be seen in another crucial
aspect of preparation for release. The last two reports
have expressed dismay at the small number of prisoners
participating in the STOP programme, the programme for sex
offenders which is at the centre of the strategy seeking to
reduce re-offending.
"This report indicates that the numbers have increased
considerably, and that the overall target for programme
completions has been exceeded. Nevertheless, I remain
concerned that some prisoners might not be given the
opportunity to address their offending behaviour in a
timely manner, at a relevant point in their sentence.
"Peterhead deserves recognition for the progress made.
However, there is a new concern about the amount of time
which prisoners are spending locked up in their cells. The
uncertainly over the future of the prison is also as great
as ever. Managers, staff and prisoners are no more clear
now than they were one year ago about what will happen -
and uncertainty itself has had one more year to have its
effect."
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 Peterhead was a follow up inspection
with a focus on conditions in which prisoners live and on
the way prisoners are treated.