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2. CONDITIONS

Outcome

Prisoners are held in conditions that provide the basic necessities of life and health, including adequate air, light, water, exercise in the fresh air, food, bedding and clothing.

2.1 The prison is almost entirely new: with the exception of one hall it has been rebuilt in the last five years. The new buildings provide excellent living conditions. The food is good at the point of cooking but deteriorates when being transported to the halls, prisoners are able to have their clothes washed every day during the week and there are good opportunities for exercise.

Population

2.2 The majority of the prisoner population (70%) comes from the Lothian & Borders Community Justice Authority area. It has a design capacity of 872. On the first day of inspection there were 795 prisoners held in the prison as follows:

2.3 The highest number that the prison has held was 913 in September 2008.

Accommodation Areas

2.4 There are four main Residential Halls: Glenesk, Hermiston, Ingliston and Ratho. The most recent, Ratho, opened in December 2008. The oldest, Glenesk, is now 11 years old.

2.5 The number that each hall can hold in single and double/buddy cell accommodation is as follows:

2.6 Remand prisoners are held in Glenesk; convicted prisoners serving short sentences are held in Hermiston; long-term convicted prisoners and prisoners on protection are held in Ingliston; and Ratho holds prisoners who are local "top end" nearing the end of a sentence and those who require addictions support.

2.7 The standard of accommodation is very good in Hermiston, Ingliston and Ratho. These halls are clean and furnishings are good. Glenesk is looking a bit worn - particularly level 2 (for young remand prisoners). These cells have lots of graffiti and some inappropriate posters. The floors are dirtier than anywhere else in the establishment with remnants of food lying around. Mattresses are also in a very poor state of repair in Glenesk. A number of the dining room tables and chairs were either missing or in a state of disrepair. There is a lack of telephone hoods. Glenesk is also the only hall that does not provide prisoners with access to its own small gym facility . It is recommended that the conditions for remand prisoners and the services they receive are improved.

2.8 All prisoners have the opportunity to dine in association, with the exception of prisoners in Glenesk. The areas for serving food in all residential areas were clean.

2.9 There are five disabled cells in the prison and these are of a good standard. The only bunk beds which have ladders to the top bunk are in Ratho, with a few in Hermiston. All bunk beds should have ladders. There are five anti-ligature cells situated throughout the establishment.

2.10 All cells have enclosed toilets. Cells in Ratho also have showers.

2.11 Recreation equipment consists of small gymnasiums in a number of halls, pool and snooker tables, table tennis tables and table football.

2.12 The medical/health care rooms in Ratho do not meet healthcare standards. There is no sluice area, and the rooms are too small.

2.13 In Ratho, the pool tables are situated next to the telephones which means that it is noisy and there is no privacy.

Exercise Areas

2.14 Prisoners have access to a period of exercise in the open air every day. There are a number of good exercise areas within the establishment.

Catering

2.15 The kitchen is a relatively new facility (three years old) which employs 30 prisoners. Prisoners can work towards qualifications, particularly the Scottish Association of Master Bakers. Training is given a high priority, indeed one member of staff is dedicated full-time to developing this function. There is also a training kitchen in place.

2.16 The quality of food is good at the point of cooking, but deteriorates when being transported to the halls. All prisoners, except prisoners on remand, are given the opportunity to eat in association in the residential areas, although some choose to eat in their cells.

2.17 The menu works on a four weekly cycle and contains a healthy option at each serving. Prisoners are unable to obtain five pieces of fruit or vegetables each day from the menu. All prisoners, including prisoners on remand are able to make a choice in advance. All special diets are identified and met. Prisoners are consulted on a regular basis about the food and choices available.

2.18 The timing of meals Monday to Friday is appropriate although the evening meal at weekends is served at 16.00hrs. This is very early, although it is recognised that an evening snack is also issued. There is also a lack of serving utensils, with food consequently being served using hands (albeit gloved hands). Portions are also small, especially at weekends.

Canteen

2.19 The arrangements for prisoners' canteen is "bag and tag". A large stock room has a good range of items, and prices are competitive. No items of stock checked were outwith the "Best Before" date. Greetings cards are also available in the canteen.

2.20 Remand prisoners access the canteen twice each week, convicted prisoners access it three times each week.

2.21 Prisoners also have the opportunity to buy a selected range of items, including fruit and cosmetic products, through sundry purchases. A request form is submitted to canteen staff who order it online from a major supermarket. The goods are delivered to the prison. In this respect, prisoners have the same access to a range of products as members of the public.

2.22 Overall, the canteen is a smooth and efficient operation which provides a very good service to prisoners.

Clothing and Laundry

2.23 Prisoners wear a range of prison and personal clothing. Prison issue clothing is clean and of a very good standard. Prison issue underwear and socks are new and personal to the prisoner.

2.24 A new laundry provides an excellent service. Prisoners can have their clothes washed every weekday if they wish. Personal clothing is washed in bags which have been double 'tagged' for identification, security and to ensure that they do not open during washing or drying. Every bag is also counted and logged. Prison issue kit such as sweat shirts and trousers is washed together and is not personalised. It is also washed on a daily basis, as is bedding if requested.

2.25 The laundry employs around 25 prisoners at any one time and the atmosphere is good. Prisoners said that they enjoyed working there although the wages were lower than elsewhere in the prison. An SVQ in Laundry Operation is available, and seven prisoners were working towards this.

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