This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Barlinnie prison report published
28/02/2007
The end of slopping out and the refurbishment of parts of Barlinnie have created much better conditions for staff and prisoners, 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 Barlinnie in August last year, also highlights that:
- An excellent 'First Night Centre' has been opened, designed to make introduction to prison life as safe and reassuring as possible
- The catering arrangements have improved in most of the prison
- Advances have been made in prisoner-care, including chaplaincy and psychology
However, the report also notes that:
- Prisoner numbers and overcrowding are very high
- There are few opportunities for prisoners to spend the day doing something useful, and for remand prisoners in particular conditions are poor and opportunities very limited
- Only a few prisoners are allowed any personal clothing and the laundry arrangements for all prisoners are inadequate
Dr McLellan said:
"Barlinnie has changed a great deal. The most obvious changes are the refurbishment of the halls and the end of slopping out. As a result, living conditions for prisoners and working conditions for prison staff are much better. Prisoners regularly told inspectors "this place is much better than it used to be".
"It was repeatedly said by prisoners and staff that Barlinnie feels safer, looks cleaner, serves better food and that better relationships have developed, contributing to a calmer atmosphere. Moreover, advances have been made in provision of care services such as chaplaincy, psychology and the First Night Centre. Against the background of high prisoner numbers and overcrowding these are impressive achievements.
"However, when there is so much change for the better, it is very disappointing to find two matters unresolved. The conditions in the reception area are no better, and visitors still have to wait far too long in the prison for a visit with a prisoner to begin.
"Prisoner numbers are also very high. At the time of inspection there were 1430 prisoners living in Barlinnie. The design capacity is 1018, which means that the prison is regularly 40% overcrowded. The effects of this overcrowding are obvious. Most prisoners do not have single cells, staff do not have the time they need to spend with individual prisoners, and prisoners spend too long locked in their cells with few opportunities to take part in useful work. Prisoners on remand suffer most.
"Finally, Barlinnie is unusual among Scottish prisons in that convicted prisoners are never allowed to wear their own clothes. The underwear provided might be the wrong size or might be stained. This is entirely out of keeping with the clean and decent atmosphere created in Barlinnie since the end of slopping out."
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 Barlinnie prison, with a focus on the conditions in which prisoners live and on the way prisoners are treated.
Copies of Reports are available on the Inspectorate's website.