THE PRISONS COMPLAINTS SYSTEM
The prison complaints system inScotlandgets called the CP system because of the forms
used. There are four 'CP' forms.
Prisoners can use these forms to get their
complaint investigated.
Prisoners who find it difficult to complete
the forms must be given help.
A prisoner can ask anyone - a member of
staff, a fellow prisoner, relative, friend or legal adviser
- to help him/her fill in the form but the complaint must
come from the prisoner.
The forms:
All the forms listed below are provided in Adobe
Acrobat format, if you are unable to open the files you
may need to download a copy of Adobe Acrobat
Reader from the
Adobe website.
CP1- this is the form used for most complaints.
This form allows a prisoner to take the complaint all the
way from the residential officer to the Governor-in-Charge.
Click here to see diagram of
CP1 process.
CP2- this form allows a prisoner to take his/her
complaint directly to the Governor-in-Charge. CP2
forms can only be used for sensitive or confidential
matters.
If the complaint is not sensitive or
confidential, the Governor may advise a prisoner that the
CP1 process must be followed.
Click here to see diagram of
CP2process.
CP3 - this form is used for medical
complaints. The form goes to the prison
medical officer.
If the prisoner is not satisfied by the
response from the medical officer, he/she can send it to
the Scottish Ministers for a response.
Click here to see diagram of
CP3 process.
CP4 - this form is used to appeal against
an Orderly Room decision taken by a person other than the
Governor-in-Charge. The CP4 allows an appeal to be
heard by the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) and then,
if required, the Governor-in-Charge.
Click here to see diagram of
CP4 process.
If the prisoner does not get a satisfactory answer to
a complaint filed within the prison, then he/she can foward
the complaint to the Commission. A prisoner who
wants to appeal an Orderly Room decision made by the
Governor-in-Charge can contact the Complaints Commission
immediately.