This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Annual report by Chief Inspector of Prisons
27/09/2005
The significant reduction in the number of prisoners slopping out in Scotland's prisons in the past year has been welcomed by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons in his annual report published today.
However, Dr McLellan also draws attention to the fact that for those who continue to slop out the situation is dreadful and Scotland cannot be a decent nation until all its prisoners have access to modern sanitation.
His report, covering the period April 1, 2004 to March 31, 2005, also highlights:
- Problems caused by overcrowding such as reducing the amount of time staff have to deal with the needs of individual prisoners, staff being unable to provide enough work or programmes, and the reduced time for safety assessments
- The fact that children under the age of 16 are held periodically
- And the fact that the budget for food is unchanged since 1996
Dr McLellan said:
"There has been a significant reduction in the number of prisoners slopping out in the past year. With the end of slopping out in Barlinnie, numbers have fallen from 1324 to 616. However, one prisoner slopping out would still be one too many.
"Combine slopping out with overcrowding and we have the twin curses of Scotland's prisons. While overcrowding at its peak fell by one per cent during the year, it was still 13 per cent above the estate's design capacity. As I have written time and again, overcrowding makes things worse for prison managers, prison staff and prisoners.
"My report draws attention to children under the age of 16 held in prison: 18 in 2004-05. There is no reason to believe that these children were not treated properly. However, there is widespread recognition that early intervention is necessary to prevent young people sliding into criminal behaviour. The presence of each child under 16 in prison is a stark illustration of the cost of failure.
"A subject of particular importance to prisoners is the quality of food - an issue about which I have raised a number of concerns. Not one prison in Scotland provides the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, while too often inspectors are disappointed by the quality of food served. However, reports regularly recognise that within the available budgets, which have remained unchanged since 1996, catering officers do their best.
"Throughout the year I have seen three things over and over again. First, the impressive contribution made by so many prison staff. I have seen examples of commitment, intelligence and compassion at all levels in Scottish prisons which have moved me. Second, how damaging imprisonment can be. Of course there are reasons for imprisonment other than to do the prisoner good, but there should also be a recognition that prison can affect families, homes and jobs. Third, I have seen how important it is that the Scottish public should build their knowledge and understanding of what happens in Scotland's prisons."
Under the terms of Section 7 of the Prisons (Scotland) Act 1989 it is the duty of the Chief Inspector of Prisons to inspect or arrange for the inspection of prisons, legalised police cells and prisoner escort arrangements in Scotland. Following each inspection the Chief Inspector reports to Scottish Ministers on the treatment of prisoners and conditions in prisons. The Chief Inspector submits an Annual Report to Scottish Ministers. The Chief Inspector may also report on any matter connected with Scottish prisons as directed by Scottish Ministers.
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 the year after a full inspection has taken 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.