Origins of the Enquiry

Introduction

1.1 Following a suggestion by the Chairwoman of the Visiting Committee for Adult Prisoners in HM Prison and Young Offenders Institution, Cornton Vale, and after further discussion with the Chief Executive and Scottish Prison Service senior management, the Prisons Inspectorate resolved to undertake a study of the custody and training of female prisoners and young offenders in Scotland. (For the purposes of this report the term "prisoners" hereafter includes "young offenders".)

1.2 In Scotland the number of female prisoners is a relatively small proportion (120-200) of the total prisoner population (5,500). Regardless of home locality, all women convicted of crimes and sentenced to custody serve their sentences at Cornton Vale near Stirling. This establishment also serves for females on remand except those held in three small units within the male establishments at HMP Aberdeen, HMYOI Dumfries and HMP Inverness. There are no open establishments for female prisoners in Scotland.

1.3 The study does not deal with the minutiae of the daily programme at Cornton Vale but gives an overview of the organisation and management and of the facilities and opportunities for women held within the Scottish prison system. Our objective was to reach conclusions and recommendations pointing the way ahead rather than to criticise or praise in relation to the present situation and background.

Methodology

1.4 As part of our study, we asked prisoners in Cornton Vale to complete a questionnaire concerning a number of issues including location and opportunities; we also met with groups of prisoners and staff. The main findings from replies to that questionnaire and from the group meetings are set out in Chapter 4.

1.5 Subsequently members of the Inspectorate visited establishments for female prisoners in England, Denmark and Sweden.

1.6 We also sought the views of serving Governors in Scotland, Lady Martha Bruce (the first Governor of Cornton Vale), SASD, Apex Scotland, SACRO and SWSI. The contributions made were positive and constructive and we wish to record our appreciation to those who replied. A summary of those responses is contained in Chapter 5.

1.7 The report also has 4 Annexes. Annex 1 is a copy of the questionnaire issued to prisoners at Cornton Vale - see Chapter 4. Annex 2 is an extract, relating to Cornton Vale, from the Second Prison Survey - see paragraph 8.2. Annex 3 provides details of the average daily female population, 1983-1993, at Cornton Vale and the female units at Aberdeen, Dumfries and Inverness. Annex 4 contains a list of the abbreviations used in the report.