This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Perth Prison report
28/03/2007
Building work at Perth Prison has led to reduced accommodation and constant movement within and out of the prison, according to the latest report by the Chief Inspector of Prisons published today.
Dr Andrew McLellan's report is based on a follow up inspection of HMP Perth in December last year.
It highlights:
- All of the changes in terms of building work have been very well managed
- There is an excellent new prisoner activities area, laundry and kitchen
- The food has improved significantly
- There has been a reduction in violence
- Friarton Hall is now a Young Offenders' Institution. The transition in use has been a real success
However, the report also notes that:
- Most prisoners have to share a cell, even sometimes three in a cell
- The conditions in 'E' Hall are poor
- Despite some small education provision, most remand prisoners have almost nothing to do all day
Dr McLellan said:
"Since there are so many prisoners in Scottish prisons, prisoners have to be moved around wherever the places are to be found. The large SPS rebuilding programme which is being undertaken also involves complicated movements of prisoners while one hall is knocked down and another built. Perth Prison is in the middle of this constant movement: it is overcrowded and one hall has been knocked down while the new hall taking its place is not yet open.
"The remand population continues to increase. My inspection report of 2005 drew attention to the absence of useful activity for prisoners on remand. In every prison this is limited, because of the policy of giving priority to convicted prisoners; but it is good to report that some modest provision is being made in Perth for prisoners on remand who want to work.
"Most prisoners in Perth share cells. Cell-sharing is one of the worst consequences of overcrowding. However, overcrowding can be so bad in Perth that three prisoners often have to share a cell. This is a threat to privacy, decency and safety.
"There has been some redecoration and refurbishment since the last inspection. One hall, 'E' Hall, however, is very bleak. It is expected that this hall will soon be demolished as part of the rebuilding programme; but it offers grim living conditions at the moment.
"The prison continues to be safe in the midst of all this upheaval. In fact, the level of violence is decreasing.
"Within the last year Friarton Hall has become a Young Offenders' Institution. The transition in the use of Friarton Hall has been a real success. Another success has been the improvement in food. Changes have been made to the way food is served and meals are much better than they were. An excellent new activities area has been opened and provides a very good environment for prisoners' work and training; as well as an excellent laundry and a new kitchen."