15. Points of Note

15.1 Issues to be considered by SPS HQ

15.1.1 There should be a review of the number of prisoners in TFF hostels to ensure that the maximum number who are so eligible are being considered (paragraph 6.54).

15.2 Issues to be taken up with the Governor on subsequent visits by the Inspectorate.

15.2.1 The Governor should introduce strict guidelines for staff which ensure that they constantly monitor the condition of the upgraded ‘D’ Hall accommodation (paragraph 3.19).

15.2.2 Regardless of their personal preference, every prisoner should be provided with a bed (paragraph 3.22).

15.2.3 There should be the occasional doubling - back on cell searches (paragraph 4.3.1).

15.2.4 Contingency plans should be made more user friendly and should include summaries of the first actions to be taken (paragraph 4.9).

15.2.5 A number of issues, as listed, needs to be addressed regarding the operation of the Prisoners Grievance Procedure (paragraph 4.16).

15.2.6 All staff required to work in reception should receive formal training in understanding the contents of warrants (paragraph 4.31).

15.2.7 There should be a safer area for the holding of prisoners in the reception area (paragraph 4.37).

15.2.8 There should be a review of the arrangements for the distribution of meals and drinks for prisoners going through the reception process (paragraph 4.37).

15.2.9 A full-time addictions worker should be appointed (paragraph 5.28).

15.2.10 A drug free area should be provided for those prisoners who had completed a drug rehabilitation or detoxification programme (paragraphs 5.40 and 5.46).

15.2.11 Staff not directly involved with the Drug Rehabilitation Unit should be briefed from time to time on current developments within the unit (paragraph 5.42).

15.2.12 Consideration should be given to introducing separate induction arrangements for those serving sentences of less than 12 months and for remand prisoners (paragraph 6.8).

15.2.13 The recent local drive to implement the Sentence Planning Scheme should be properly monitored to ensure consistency in delivery and that appropriate support mechanisms for staff are in place (paragraph 6.12).

15.2.14 There should be an immediate review of the arrangements for outside exercise to ensure that both Prison Rules and SPS Operating Standards are met (paragraph 6.28).

15.2.15 Recreation areas should be upgraded and decorated, with specific attention being given to the remand facility (paragraph 6.28).

15.2.16 The number of offending behaviour programmes should be greatly increased with pre-release arrangements being given the same degree of importance as induction; staff involved in delivering the programmes should be given proper support and training and there should be greater linkage to the Sentence Planning process (paragraph 6.34).

15.2.17 All Industrial Supervisors should be located in their areas of responsibility with priority and clear leadership being given to productivity and stability (paragraph 6.47).

15.2.18 A number of issues, as listed, should be addressed further to improve the quality of the education provision (paragraph 6.64).

15.2.19 Current arrangements for prisoners’ access to the library should be reviewed with the aim of increasing accessibility (paragraph 6.67).

15.2.20 The staff changing area in the gymnasium should be provided with a shower (paragraph 6.69).

15.2.21 The lighting in the weights area of the gymnasium should be improved (paragraph 6.70).

15.2.22 Additional aerobic equipment should be purchased and maintenance contracts arranged (paragraph 6.70).

15.2.23 There should be a review of the arrangements whereby prisoners leave their work parties to attend PE (paragraph 6.72).

15.2.24 Prisoners should only be allowed to participate in PE activities when they are wearing the appropriate clothing (paragraph 6.72).

t15.2.25 The ash football pitch should be resurfaced (paragraph 6.74).

15.2.26 The Governor should ensure that the current access arrangements for Solicitors are kept under regular review (paragraph 6.81).

15.2.27 Discussions on how to meet the needs of Lifers within the establishment should be given a high degree of priority (paragraph 6.91).

15.2.28 A member of the Catering staff should make regular visits to the Halls when meals are being served (paragraph 7.8).

15.2.29 The roof in the Social Work Unit should be re-covered (paragraph 7.13).

15.2.30 Accommodation arrangements for social workers interviewing prisoners in the Halls should be improved (paragraph 7.15).

15.2.31 Priority should be given to establishing a clear policy and standard across the Residential function on the welfare role of Residential Officers with appropriate training being made available to staff (paragraph 7.19).

15.2.32 Further efforts should be made to appoint an RC Chaplain who would be able to provide religious services at the traditional times (paragraph 7.30).

15.2.33 An alarm should be installed in the Chaplaincy Office (paragraph 7.31).

15.2.34 The laundry bag system should be expanded to include all prisoners (paragraph 7.38).

15.2.35 There should be a complete review of the laundry distribution process, including the feasibility of having a member of staff in every area with specific responsibility for laundry issues (paragraph 7.39).

15.2.36 There should be a review of the fire hose reel box key arrangements (paragraph 7.55).

15.2.37 There should be a comprehensive audit of all cells to ensure that they all have proper fire-retardant mattresses and pillows (paragraph 7.56).

15.2.38 Safe systems of work should be introduced for all areas, including Hall passmen, and a planned schedule of H & S audits of all areas of the prison - with proper time allocations to enable them to be carried out - should be formulated (paragraph 7.61).

15.2.39 A budget should be provided to enable posters and other materials connected with H & S issues to be purchased (paragraph 7.61).

15.2.40 The MO’s consulting room should be provided with a wash-hand basin (paragraph 8.8).

15.2.41 Consideration should be given to identifying an alternative use for the hospital dining area and the two other nearby rooms (paragraph 8.10).

15.2.42 The hospital should be repainted (paragraph 8.10).

15.2.43 The proposal to introduce more comprehensive medical folders should be given a degree of priority (paragraph 8.11).

15.2.44 Medication should be given directly to prisoners from the chemist’s dispensed prescriptions and should be given out in the mornings at a fixed point by the nurse (paragraph 8.26).

15.2.45 The Medical Officer should be the coordinator of referrals to the Psychiatrists (paragraph 8.33).

15.2.46 The Day Care Unit should have new locks on the cell doors, suitable furniture to allow clinical and other interviews to take place, observation windows and staff alarms installed throughout and an additional room to accommodate small group meeetings (paragraph 8.44).

15.2.47 Additional accommodation should be provided for visiting Psychiatrists (paragraph 8.44).

15.2.48 Extra staffing resources will be required if the Day Care Unit is to function for five days a week (paragraph 8.45).

15.2.49 Protocols for evaluating the assessment procedure and the work of the Day Care Unit should be put in place (paragraph 8.45).

15.2.50 The Governor should review the arrangement whereby Friday afternoons are set aside for staff training with the aim of re-invigorating those training opportunities (paragraph 9.14).

15.2.51 Action should be taken to ensure that staff are fully aware of the training opportunities available to them (paragraph 9.14).

15.2.52 The air filter machine in the (smoking) staff rest area should be repaired or replaced (paragraph 9.18).

15.2.53 All staff toilets should be upgraded to an acceptable standard and properly equipped for unisex use (paragraph 9.21).

15.2.54 The system whereby staff sign a book when taking out or returning a prisoner’s warrant should be reviewed (paragraph 11.4).

15.2.55 A training needs analysis should be conducted for staff working the General Office as well as an H & S risk assessment for those working regularly with computers (paragraph 11.5).

15.2.56 The provision of training facilities and the introduction of a quality assurance system should be structured to ensure wider competence and utilisation of the SPIN system (paragraph 11.13).

15.2.57 Two issues, as listed, need to be addressed with regard to entries in Hall request books (paragraph 11.14).