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Listen
2. SAFETY
Outcomes
Appropriate steps are taken to ensure that individual prisoners are protected from harm by themselves and others.
2.1 Met. Prisoners are not exposed to harm and they report feeling safe. However, the immediate post Extended Home Leave Act2Care risk assessment is inadequate.
2.2 The system in closed establishments for assessing suitability for the Open Estate is now much more robust and at the time of inspection there were fewer short-term prisoners and more long-term prisoners preparing for release being sent to the prison. This has improved the atmosphere and reduced tensions.
Prisoners are treated with respect by prison staff.
2.3 Met. Relationships are in general good.
Assessment for Transfer to the Open Estate
2.4 During the past year there has been concern expressed by the press and by the public that the criteria for admission to the Open Estate were too lax. The focus of this concern was the rape of a young woman by a man who had absconded from Castle Huntly.
2.5 Significant change has taken place this year and the criteria for admission to the Open Estate have been tightened considerably. There are now fewer prisoners in the Open Estate than previously. Of particular note is the fact that the number of short-term prisoners has reduced considerably. Both staff and prisoner commented that these two factors have resulted in a more positive atmosphere, with "better prisoners more suited to open conditions."
Population
2.6 The Open Estate holds low supervision adult male prisoners. On the first day of the inspection there were 227 prisoners being held in Castle Huntly (design capacity 285), and 116 in Noranside (design capacity 140): so the Open Estate is not overcrowded. Due to Continuous Cell Occupancy at Noranside, the Open Estate can accommodate more prisoners than the original design capacity. Numbers at Castle Huntly were below design capacity due to a more stringent assessment process at the sending establishments.
2.7 A breakdown of sentence lengths was as follows:
Life sentence prisoners | 37 |
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Long-term prisoners | 225 |
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Short-term prisoners | 81 |
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2.8 In the six weeks prior to the inspection there were 67 admissions to the Open Estate: 47 long-term prisoners and 20 short-term prisoners. Three out of the 67 were long-term prisoners who were admitted directly into Noranside. Two of these were sex offenders. In the same time period 11 prisoners were transferred from Castle Huntly to Noranside.
2.9 All prisoners are now assessed for suitability for open conditions by Progression Case Management Groups, prior to transfer, within their own closed establishments. However, prisoners, do not, as a matter of course receive, or have, any preparation for transfer to the Open Estate. It is recommended that prisoners are properly prepared for transfer to the Open Estate from closed conditions.
2.10 There is no formal process or procedure used to identify which prisoners are selected for onward transfer to Noranside from Castle Huntly or how they are selected.
Escapes, Absconds and Physical Security
2.11 In the past year there were 19 absconds and 19 failures to return to the Open Estate. There are still high numbers, but lower than in previous years. A 'Critical Incident Review Process' has been introduced to examine contributory factors, early warning signs and reasons for each case.
2.12 There is no fence around either Castle Huntly or Noranside.
Admission and Induction Procedures
2.13 The Reception for the Open Estate is located at Castle Huntly. Only in exceptional circumstances will prisoners be admitted directly to Noranside. The Reception does not provide any facilities for interviewing, and the layout lacks flow. The storage area is small and the prisoners' waiting area is drab and unwelcoming.
2.14 Murray House allocates all Admissions and operates a 'First Night in Custody' information sharing meeting. In addition, a 'Buddy' Scheme is in place where a prisoner will orientate and share information with another. All prisoners receive a comprehensive Admission Pack.
2.15 Induction is delivered by Links Centre and Murray House residential staff. Within the first week a 'Prison Progression Assessment' is conducted and the 'Community Access Risk Assessment' is completed. Thereafter a 'Community Risk Assessment Plan' is considered in a multi-disciplinary forum. This system appears to work well and is well established. All relevant information is then presented at the multi-disciplinary Case Management Board.
Suicide Risk Management
2.16 There have been no deaths in custody in the past year. Two prisoners were placed on Act2Care in 2008 to the time of inspection: both from Noranside. These prisoners were not coping with open conditions and were returned to closed prisons. The full Act2Care process is not undertaken at the Open Estate. Following the initial case conference a prisoner considered to be high risk is immediately returned to closed conditions.
2.17 An immediate post Extended Home Leave risk assessment is carried out on all prisoners on return to the Open Estate. An Act2Care Sheet has been adapted for multiple use due to the high number of prisoners who participate in the scheme. This process was observed in the visits area and is inadequate. Prisoners are asked in the vicinity of other prisoners and staff, whilst standing in a queue: "are you suicidal". They then have to sign to say that they are not suicidal. It is recommended that the immediate post Extended Home Leave Act2Care risk assessment process is improved.
2.18 There are two anti ligature cells in Noranside where a prisoner can be held if required. In Castle Huntly the cells which can be used are the "secure cells" in Wallace or Bruce wing.
2.19 An ACT Group Meeting was held in February 2008. A minute of the meeting was available. This was the first meeting for 10 months and the previous meeting "had a very poor turnout, hence no minutes available". Attendance at the February meeting was also poor with no healthcare, chaplaincy or residential staff input. The ACT Group Meeting should be reinvigorated.
2.20 At the time of the inspection, no member of staff on either site was classed as competent to deliver Act2Care, as their training had lapsed. This should be addressed.
2.21 A Prison Listener Scheme is in operation on both sites. Photographs of Listeners were located throughout in the prison.
Violence
2.22 There have been no serious prisoner-on-prisoner or prisoner-on-staff assaults in the past year, and only one minor prisoner-on-prisoner assault in Castle Huntly. Prisoners report feeling very safe from other prisoners and from staff.
Relationships
2.23 Relationships between staff and prisoners are in general good. Staff call prisoners by their first name or prefix their surname with Mr. However, some prisoners in Noranside believe that they are "threatened" with return to the closed estate for even the most minor misdemeanour.
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