This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Cornton Vale report published
03/08/2006
The number of female prisoners in Scotland has doubled in the past ten years, according to the latest report by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons published today.
Dr Andrew McLellan's report, based on a full inspection of HMP and YOI Cornton Vale in February this year, highlights that:
- There has been a steep rise in the number of admissions which makes it more difficult to meet the needs of prisoners
- All women are routinely "double cuffed" when held under escort - including during labour
- Boredom is a major problem, particularly for prisoners on remand who are spending increasingly long periods of time in their cells
- There has been a reduction in the psychology service
However, the report also notes:
- Excellent arrangements for maintaining family contact, despite poor facilities in the main visits room.
- Better living arrangements for offenders under the age of 21, who now have refurbished accommodation and access to work and education.
- A significant reduction in the number of incidents of women harming themselves
- A new houseblock which gives access to very good living conditions for the women living there
Dr McLellan said:
"In the past decade the number of female prisoners in Scotland has doubled. During this inspection the number of prisoners was 326, half of whom were convicted of violent offences. Many of these women arrive at the prison gate in a desperate state, suffering from a combination of mental and physical ill health.
"In 1998 the Chief Inspector of Prisons and the Chief Inspector of Social Work said that joint strategies should be put in place to reduce the daily female population at Cornton Vale from more than 170 to 100 or less by the end of 2000. Today that sounds fanciful.
"The opening of new residential accommodation, Wallace House, gives access to very good living conditions. Prisoners spoke highly of the quality of the accommodation and good atmosphere in the Hall. However it is disappointing that, due to high prisoner numbers, many cells are occupied by two people.
"It is also disappointing to find so little activity in Wallace House in the evening and for prisoners on remand in particular, time in cell is increasing. For a mentally ill addict, frightened and separated from her family, time locked in her cell may not only be boring, it may be very threatening.
"The greatest concern raised by prisoners and staff was "double-cuffing". All prisoners leaving Cornton Vale for any reason, except for a work placement, will have their wrists handcuffed together and then handcuffed to a custody officer.
"To be exposed to public view under these conditions can be very upsetting. Prison staff told of children's hearings where no mother was present because prisoners could not bring themselves to be "double-cuffed" in front of their children. Staff also told of women refusing to go to hospital for medical treatment when they learned that they would be double-cuffed. Two prisoners had recently given birth and had been handcuffed in the labour room almost until the birth itself. They were immediately handcuffed again after giving birth.
"There is always a balance to be found between security and humanity, but in the case of women giving birth the security considerations would need to be extraordinarily high to justify this practice.
"This report comments on some good work with addictions, but it is a small contribution to a huge problem in the lives of these women. It comments on good mental health work and work to prevent suicide and reduce self-harm. The community placements scheme also works very well, helping prisoners to develop skills and confidence. There are good relationships between prisoners and most members of staff. However, there has been a reduction in psychology services, despite the rising numbers.
"There is no doubt that being in prison can help some women, while it is a terrible comment on Scotland today that it is easy to meet prisoners who feel safer in prison than they do outside. But for most prisoners in Cornton Vale their time of imprisonment is unlikely to heal the desperate things that are wrong with them in body, mind and spirit when they are admitted."
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 following a full inspection 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.
Today's report relates to a full inspection of Cornton Vale Prison and YOI, with a focus on conditions in which prisoners live and on the way prisoners are treated.