The Present Position at Cornton Vale

3.1 A full description of all aspects of the regime and structure at Cornton Vale is contained in the report of our last full inspection of the establishment in March-April 1991. This chapter, however, summarises the main features which are relevant for this study and in some respects up-dates the position.

3.2 The prison lies three miles to the north of Stirling, near Bridge of Allan and within easy reach of Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth. At the opening in 1975 the main objective was prescribed as providing 'treatment for women and girls who are held in custody, such that on their return to freedom they will be more able to deal with the pressures and complexities of modern life'. The current mission statement claims 'to offer a range of opportunities and services based on the principles of self-respect, personal development and achievement within a secure and caring environment' and promises to 'reflect developments in society through fair and open management'.

3.3 Cornton Vale is unique in that it is the only female prison in Scotland. The accommodation is contained within five separate white chalet blocks identical in design but not in size and surrounded by gardens. Within the blocks the accommodation consists of small units each with six or seven rooms (one of which is large enough to accommodate a mother and baby with babies normally being allowed to stay until they are 12 months old), small kitchen, utility area and a combined sitting/recreation cum dining area.

3.4 All the rooms have a two way intercom and each is fitted with a bed, curtained windows, a work top - which doubles as a table - a wardrobe and a wash-hand basin. Apart from the rooms at the top end of the adult convicted system - where the prisoners have their own keys - all rooms have electronically controlled doors that permit access to night sanitation facilities. When prisoners are considered to be a danger either to themselves or others in the prison community, they may be located in a small group of separate cells.

3.5 As part of the accommodation, there is a small TFF hostel. Unlike the position in the majority of other establishments with TFF hostels, Cornton Vale's hostel had never been a separate facility, having been adapted from one of the accommodation units.

3.6 In addition to the five accommodation blocks there is a central complex comprising workshops, laundry, kitchen, gymnasium, classrooms, shop and library. There are also a separate Health Centre and Chapel.

Current Opportunities

Education

3.7 The Education Unit is formally linked to Clackmannan College and is staffed by one full-time lecturer who is the Head of the Education Unit, plus 10 part-time lecturers.

3.8 The education provision covers all sections of the prison - viz, YOs, Adult Prisoners and Remand Prisoners. Tuition is available during the day for Special Needs, Basic Literacy, Numeracy and Modern Languages. SCOTVEC certification is offered in day classes in Art and Crafts, Communication, Computer Studies, Cookery, Personal Organisation, Financial Record Keeping and Scottish Business Law. A pre-release employment focus course run quarterly includes the preparation of a CV, personal stocktaking, letters of application, form filling, interview and telephone techniques, starting and keeping a job. In addition evening classes are held at certain times of the year in Computer Studies, Pottery, Art and Design and Guitar Playing.

Physical Education

3.9 A comprehensive PE programme is available to all groups of prisoners in addition to which there is considerable participation in various outside activities under the auspices of the PE department.

Employment

3.10 In terms of employment the convicted prisoners and YOs share the same work place. The nature of the work tends to be geared towards the stereotype female model - viz, duties of a domestic nature such as textile operations, cooking, food preparation and table waiting in the staff restaurant, laundry and cleaning duties. There are, however, limited places, which vary according to season, in the Gardens party and there is a VT course in Hairdressing with a capacity of 10 places. At the time of our study there were also three prisoners working outwith the establishment with a local charitable organisation.

Group Work

3.11 Over the last two years there has been considerable activity under the direction of two officers who completed specific additional training in the management of groups. Between June 1992 and June 1993 there was a total of 16 groups involving 104 prisoners, the subjects being Pre-Release, Drug Dependency, Life Prisoner and Long Term Prisoner. There has also been a number of full-time courses varying in length from one to four weeks on the same subjects. Between June 1993 and June 1994 there had been a change in emphasis in group work so that over the period there were 13 groups with a total of 80 prisoners attending courses in Pre-Release, Staying Out of Bother, Taking Drugs Seriously, Cognitive Skills, Remand and Problem Prisoners.