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4. RESPECT
Relationships
4.1 Relationships between staff and prisoners are very good. This was observed during the inspection and reported in the 2005 SPS Prisoner Survey, where 98% of prisoners said that relationships were either ok, good or very good.
4.2 Staff wear name badges and address prisoners by their first name or prefix their surname with Mr. No insulting nicknames were used during the inspection and staff were aware of the implications of using such nicknames. Prisoners are given sensitive information in private, by a First Line Manager.
4.3 The large majority of prisoners reported that the atmosphere was relaxed and staff and the Visiting Committee confirmed that the prison was calmer than it had been in the past.
Equality and Diversity
4.4 All new admissions are given an explanation of the routines and regime within the prison. Information for ethnic minority prisoners is available in a folder in Reception. There is also information on the first 24 hours in custody, an ethnic minority checklist and a first night checklist. Translation services are also available.
4.5 A Race Relations Policy is in place, led by a Residential First Line Manager. Focus groups are held in which the views of ethnic minority prisoners are sought.
4.6 There were 12 ethnic minority prisoners living in Shotts at the time of inspection. Two complaints had been made in the past year relating to racial incidents. Both complaints related to prisoners being racially abused by other prisoners. In both cases the appropriate paperwork was raised, investigations undertaken and remedial action taken. Both cases were also reported to HQ for their records. The way in which these incidents were dealt with was appropriate.
4.7 There had been one Equality and Diversity meeting in the year prior to the inspection and the prison should review whether this is adequate.
Searching
4.8 Prisoners are searched prior to all movements in the prison, following intelligence information and prior to entering and leaving the visit room. The searching of prisoners is conducted in a thorough yet sensitive manner. Rub-down searches and walk through metal detector portals are used in an attempt to prevent the movement of contraband around the establishment.
4.9 Extensive security procedures aligned to the searching of prisoners following visits is used to prevent contraband entering the prison via the visits area. Drug detection dogs are deployed in the visitor area and in targeted areas within the prison at irregular intervals.
4.10 Following visits one in ten prisoners are given a strip search and all searches are conducted by male staff. Female staff are used to search female visitors.
4.11 Cell searches are conducted at a rate of 2% per day and prisoners are present during these searches. The establishment has a search plan which is audited on a regular basis.
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