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HM INSPECTORATE OF PRISONS: Report on HM Prison Peterhead
8. SERVICES
Catering
8.1 The kitchen employed a total of 21 prisoners, although around 15 would be on duty on any one day. All had passed the Elementary Food Hygiene Course, and SVQ qualifications were available in kitchen portering and food preparation and cooking. A staff manager and four staff (two on any one day) were in charge of the catering operation.
8.2 The menu operated on an eight week cycle (previously nine), which offered good choice and increased variety. A healthy option was available at each meal time and special dietary requirements were being met. Members of the Inspectorate Team sampled the food at the point of cooking and found it to be of a very high quality.
8.3 Food was transported to the Halls by way of heated trolleys and the trolleys were taken to the Halls as quickly as possible. There were no complaints about the quality of food during the inspection and the results of recent SPS Prisoners Survey indicated that the food at Peterhead was rated the best in the SPS (the kitchen displayed a Notice of Year on Year comparisons stating 89% satisfaction).
Laundry
8.4 The laundry employed ten prisoners although there were three vacancies at time of inspection. The area had been refurbished three years previously and all machines were functioning. Kit and bedding, etc., were washed on a rolling programme.
8.5 There were no complaints from prisoners and the laundry was operating effectively.
Canteen
8.6 A "bag and tag" system had been introduced to the prison in November 2002. While it was therefore still in its early stages, and had had to cope with the additional demands of Christmas, it appeared to be hugely unpopular. The range of goods on offer was varied and catered for the needs of the population; items were fairly priced; and resources had been put into it. Nevertheless, everywhere there were complaints. And not just from prisoners - staff also raised it as an issue.
8.7 The Full-Time-Equivalent of staff employed in the bag and tag was 1.5, with one member of the administrative staff also deployed when the actual bagging was carried out. Other administrative staff were diverted from their normal duties to complete spreadsheets, etc., and had also been willing to help put during the Christmas holiday period. With all of this effort and goodwill going in to making the system work the question is "why the number of complaints?" True, the previous shop offered a 'social environment' for some prisoners to meet and talk, and there may perhaps be an increased risk of intimidation when contents of bags are seen. However, the system has been introduced in other establishments without this depth of feeling and the sources of the discontent in Peterhead should be discovered and tackled.
Administration
8.8 The administration staff complement was nine, two of whom were employed on a temporary contract. Staff were multi-skilled and able to cover for each other during periods of absence. Accommodation was adequate if somewhat cramped and equipment fully met needs.
8.9 The recently introduced bag and tag canteen system was the main area of concern, with staff being redirected from other duties. A further area of concern was possible prisoner access to the stores area through the fire door. While the Governor had taken steps to address this, consideration should be given to the installation of an alarm in the stores area.
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