Response to HM Chief Inspector's Report on Hm Prison, Barlinnie

Statement by Henry McLeish MP, Minister of State at The Scottish Office with responsibility for Prisons

1. I am grateful to HM Chief Inspector for his Report to the Secretary of State for Scotland on HM Prison Barlinnie. As the Report makes clear, the establishment is facing a number of difficulties at present in accommodating high prisoner numbers, particularly as a Hall has been closed for refurbishment for some time. I do not underestimate the pressures that this has created, and I pay tribute to the way in which the Governor and all the staff have coped.

2. The refurbishment of the Hall has now been completed and its re-opening will provide some welcome additional spaces. In the longer term the provision of a new prison which is to be built at Kilmarnock will bring further relief. I am also considering what other options there are for reducing overcrowding in the prison system more generally.

3. So far as facilities are concerned, I accept that there is a need for improvements in the provision for laundry and physical education, but improvements will depend on other claims on resources and the prison’s capacity to deal with another major development project. This is unlikely to be possible until after the current redevelopment of the facilities for visitors and staff is completed.

4. The pressure of prisoner numbers has made it difficult for prison routines and cell conditions to meet the standards set by the Scottish Prison Service for all establishments. Nevertheless every effort is being made to comply, and among other things the Governor has set a clear target for the number of prisoners engaged in purposeful activity. The prison is also required to contribute to the Service’s overall targets for the number of prisoners completing offending behaviour programmes. A new risk assessment procedure for prisoners at the induction stage is being piloted.

5. It is accepted that while new catering arrangements introduced 4 years ago brought about much needed improvements at that time, they have not proved sufficiently robust, particularly in the face of rising population levels. At the time of the inspection new arrangements were being piloted, and a new system is now being introduced.

6. A full-time Head of Medical Practice has been appointed, as has a Human Resource Manager, to fill the vacancy which arose in May. A number of options for improving management of and practices in the pharmacy are under consideration.

7. The Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service will reply to the Points of Note.

11 September 1997