Report by HM Inspectorate of Prisons on HM Prison, Penninghame 1997

12. Visiting Commitee

12.1 We met with the Chairman and Secretary of the Visiting Committee, whose membership had recently been reduced from 14 to 8 as a result of the creation of the new unitary authorities. At the same time, some new members had been brought on to the Committee, all of whom had required additional training.

12.2 Rostered visits to the establishment met statutory requirements and the Committee was currently aiming to have at least one member visit the prison every week. Points raised in discussion included the following:-

12.2.1 Very few complaints were ever received from prisoners (though given the nature of the relaxed regime that was perhaps not surprising). It was also felt that the new Prisoner Grievance Procedure had helped create a much better atmosphere.

12.2.2 Liaison with the local community was described as good, with the view expressed that the prison continued to attract a generally positive image amongst the local population. It was felt that the low profile which the SPS had adopted for the prison was the most appropriate approach and the hope was expressed that that would continue. The various outplacements were held to be of considerable assistance to the community, as well as providing a considerable boost to individual prisoners' esteem and progress towards their release. Equally, the placements were not seen as posing any commercial threat, which was important given the relatively high unemployment record in the local area.

12.2.3 Transport to outlying areas for additional outplacement opportunities was seen as a problem, due to the rural nature of the surrounding community.