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4. RESPECT
Outcomes
Prisoners are treated with respect by prison staff.
4.1 Relationships between prisoners and staff are very good.
Prisoners are treated with respect for their dignity while being escorted to and from prison, in prison and while under escort in any location.
4.2 Prisoners are treated well by escort staff. The conditions in Edinburgh Sheriff Court are good. The conditions in Linlithgow Sheriff Court are poor.
Relationships
4.3 Relationships between staff and prisoners are good. First name terms are generally used by staff when addressing prisoners: the only prisoners who felt that this was not the case were young remand prisoners. No inappropriate behaviour was observed throughout the inspection. This is supported by Prisoner Survey 2007 which notes that 94% of prisoners said that they got on well or very well with staff. Many residential officers did not wear their name badges where they could be seen.
Edinburgh Sheriff Court
4.4 The layout of the holding area in Edinburgh Sheriff Court allows for the separation of females, males under 21 years of age and adult males. The holding rooms are clean and have very little graffiti. The large holding rooms were not overcrowded on the Monday that they were inspected. Each of the holding rooms has a toilet facility but there is no opportunity for privacy and prisoners are unlocked to use a more private toilet. There are several enclosed cells which are used for difficult or distressed prisoners. Solicitors are able to speak to their clients in one of the booths available. Arrangements for medical support are in place.
4.5 Drinking water is available and at lunch time sandwiches and water are provided. The prisoner route to the courtroom is safe and clean. The holding rooms adjacent to the District and Sheriff courts are fresh and in good order.
4.6 Prisoners are treated well by escort staff.
Linlithgow Sheriff Court
4.7 There are three holding rooms at Linlithgow Sheriff Court. Every effort is made to keep females, males under 21 years of age and adult males separate: however, when females are held this takes up one cell and makes the separation of others particularly difficult. On the Monday that the rooms were inspected the larger cell held five males which increased to seven within twenty minutes or so, one small cell held one female and there were four males in the other small cell. It was very cramped.
4.8 There are no facilities in any of the cells and only one toilet outside the cells. The best that can be said about the toilet is that it is adequate. There were no hygiene bins for females. There are three small but functional agents rooms. Arrangements for medical cover are in place.
4.9 Drinking water is available and all of the individuals being held had received a sandwich. The prisoner route to one of the courtrooms is short and safe. Contingency plans are in place to ensure the safety of prisoners and others on the route to the other two courtrooms. Prisoners are well treated by escort staff.
4.10 Overall the holding cell area is cramped, noisy and dirty. Plans are in place to close the Sheriff Court in Linlithgow and relocate to Livingston later in 2009.
Equality and Diversity
4.11 At the time of the inspection there were 57 Black and Ethnic Minority ( BEM) prisoners being held in the prison. Eight were unable to speak English. On reception to the prison the telephone interpreting service is used to assist in the completion of the admission procedures and risk assessments.
4.12 On site interpreters are available to help with the completion of the core screen assessment and for the provision of the harm reduction information. No interpreters have been used in induction in the past year. There are no regular reviews with a non English speaking prisoner via an interpreter following the core screen assessment.
4.13 There has only been one racial incident form ( CRIR) raised since May 2008. A thorough investigation was conducted. Faith or ethnic related dietary needs are met. Facilities are available to allow Muslim prisoners to participate in religious festivals. SHAP calendars highlighting important religious dates are in the establishment but not widely displayed.
4.14 Foreign national prisoners who have no family in the UK are permitted telephone calls at the establishment's expense. At the time of the inspection there were ten such prisoners. Information about access to Consul officials is given to BEM prisoners in the First Night Centre. The establishment has run, and has plans for more, themed multi-cultural events.
4.15 The prison has now been completely refurbished and is wheelchair friendly. There are also a number of lifts in the establishment which ensures that prisoners with mobility problems can access all prisoner areas. All residential areas have a cell which is accessible by wheelchair and is designed to aid prisoners with mobility problems. The establishment conducts an impact assessment on new policies to ensure that they meet the requirements of the Equality and Diversity legislation.
4.16 There are a number of Equality and Diversity officers throughout the establishment and each is given a very comprehensive E & D manual. This is an area of good practice.
4.17 The E & D committee meets quarterly. It is chaired by the Governor and has representation from catering, estates, HR, first line management and the Edinburgh and Lothian Racial Equality Council.
Searching
4.18 Prisoners are searched prior to any movement between areas. These searches are conducted appropriately and sensitively. Hand held and walk-through metal detectors are also in operation to prevent the movement of contraband.
4.19 All prisoners who arrive and leave the prison via reception are subject to a strip search.
4.20 Searching of prisoners is carried out appropriately.
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