This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Prison inspection standards set
24/08/2006
Standards governing the inspection of prisons in Scotland have been set for the first time.
Chief Inspector of Prisons Dr Andrew McLellan said they are intended to bring greater consistency and transparency to the inspection process.
The standards revolve around three main principles:
- Safety - including security, good order and protection from harm
- Decency, humanity and respect for legal rights
- Opportunities for self-improvement and access to services and activites. These include measures to resolve the problems that led the prisoner into crime.
Dr McLellan said:
"Since its inception the inspectorate has worked to high standards, which have a sound basis in international, regional and domestic law.
"However, I believe that the time has come to formalise those standards, so that prisoners, prison staff and the public can understand and have confidence in our work. As a modern regime we need to explain how we judge the standards of prisons, so that our reports can be held up against them.
"These standards reflect the independence of the inspection of prisons in Scotland. They have been developed from the actual practice of inspecting.
"The publication of these standards is designed to enable prisoners and prison staff to understand the main areas to be examined in the course of an inspection and what would be expected in each area. The standards should also provide assurance that inspections are being carried out within a consistent framework.
"I have no doubt they will equip us well for the task of inspecting and reporting on the conditions and treatment of prisoners in Scotland."
Standards for the treatment of prisoners worldwide derive largely from Article 10 of the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.