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HM INSPECTORATE OF PRISONS FOR SCOTLAND

REPORT ON HM PRISON : CASTLE HUNTLY 2002

CHAPTER THREE : ESTABLISHMENT, POPULATION AND ACCOMMODATION

Establishment

3.1 The establishment is located by the village of Longforgan on the A85 between Perth and Dundee. The Castle, which was purchased in 1947 as a borstal, houses management, administrative staff and a conference centre.

3.2 The main area of the establishment, however is on a much lower level and is reached by a steep flight of stairs. It comprises a number of purpose built buildings, including prisoner accommodation; kitchen and dining areas; a gymnasium and a large industrial workshed complex.

3.3 The establishment also has two football pitches and a large walled garden area, and is surrounded on most sides by open fields, though some private dwellings are also close by.

3.4 Both short term and long term category 'D' prisoners are accommodated in the establishment, prior to their release into the community. Up to 40 individuals can be involved in outwork placements which are largely located in Perth and Dundee, whilst some project work is undertaken locally and further afield.

Population

3.5 Castle Huntly is designed to hold 151 prisoners in single cell and dormitory accommodation in two Wings. At the time of our inspection, capacity was 151 and there were 142 prisoners of whom 80 were LTPs and 62 STPs: details as follows:-

3.6 A breakdown of sentences was:-

3.7 Since the last formal report there had been no deaths [ However one serious prisoner on prisoner assault, the only one in recent memory, had taken place on 27 August 2001.] or attempted suicides in the establishment.

Accommodation

3.8 Prisoners' accommodation was contained in two wings - Wallace and Bruce. Bruce wing had been re-furbished with new furniture and fittings. The wings contain a mixture of single cells and five bed dormitories with one converted area, which is used as self-living area for two long-term prisoners.

3.9 Each of the single rooms had a bed, chair, wash hand basin and TV with adequate space to hang clothes and store property, whilst a toilet and shower was located within each section. Prisoners had keys to their own cells, though each section was locked at night.

Comment

3.10 In overall terms we were pleased with the standard of furniture and cleanliness in both the cells and dormitories and we did not see signs of abuse or that the furnishings or fittings were being neglected. Bruce wing is better equipped than Wallace and we would hope funds can be found to upgrade Wallace wing to the same standard in due course. The standard of recreational equipment in the wings was, however, poor and when resources allow, should either be replaced or re-furbished. We also thought the 2 man self-living unit was very small and cramped.

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