3. ACCOMMODATION AND ROUTINES

3.1 Residential accommodation in the establishment was contained in two Halls, a TFF hostel and a Female Unit.

‘A’ Hall

(i) Accommodation

3.2 The Hall contained three flats and consisted of 100 cells, one of which was a dormitory. Each of the cells had electric power and had been fitted with an enclosed integral sanitation unit, wash-hand basin and shelving and clothes hanging and drawer units in a variety of styles. Each cell also had an adequately sized pin board and the local rule about restricting pictures to that area was being strictly applied. There was also an adequate supply of chairs and waste paper buckets and each cell had been provided with a small electric kettle. Whilst most of the bedding was in an acceptable condition, some of the pillows were in a poor state of repair and in some cells the duvet covers looked rather dirty, despite assurances made to us that they were being laundered more than once a week.

3.3 In overall terms the accommodation was of a reasonable standard and generally free of graffiti; we were pleased also to note that there was an on-going repainting programme. In some cells, however, the standard of personal hygiene of the occupants left a lot to be desired and we also found a number of cells where there were missing panes of glass in the window - but see paragraph 3.17. We were also disappointed to note that because of the overcrowding situation, a number of remand prisoners were being located in the Hall - see paragraph 5.5.

3.4 The integral sanitation units were a big improvement over the previous system of slopping out and were much appreciated by the prisoner population; we were also pleased to note that despite having been in place for several years, there was no evidence of any vandalism of the units. In different parts of the Hall there were archways which contained a number of WCs and wash-hand basins which had been used in the past when prisoners had been required to slop out. Given that those areas were now virtually redundant and in an attempt to ease some of the pressures of overcrowding, there were plans to convert them into dormitory accommodation with an integral shower unit. On the ground flat of the Hall there was an area which at one time had been three cells but which now contained eight showers; being lockable, that area could also be used for protection prisoners.

(ii) Routine

3.5 The primary function of the Hall was to accommodate convicted prisoners though due to the overcrowding situation, at the time of our inspection some remands and PADs were also being held there. For the convicted population, two different routines operated - one for mainstream prisoners and one for those on protection.

3.6 For mainstream prisoners, morning unlock was at 0720 hours (0730 at weekends) and before going to the workshops at 0755, prisoners had the opportunity for breakfast, a shower, to go on request or to report sick. On returning from the workshops, lunch was at 1200 hours followed at 1230 by a one hour outdoor exercise period before returning to work at 1400 hours. The working day finished at 1640 and the evening meal was served around 1700 hours followed by a lock-up. Evening recreation ran from 1900 to 2100 hours with evening lock-up being at 2110. Weekend evening lock-up was at 1710 hours.

3.7 There were opportunities for regular access to education classes and similarly, Physical Education (PE) was available every day - during the day for those not at work and during the evening recreation period (except on Friday evenings) for those working; weekend sessions were also available. Recreation took the form of either pool or table tennis on the ground flat of the Hall or watching satellite TV/video in the Chapel. A Prisoners’ Committee had recently been set up to decide which programmes would be shown during each week. Also in the Chapel, there was a small library facility which was available on three nights per week. There were two telephones on the bottom flat of the Hall with three designated periods when they were available for prisoners’ use. We were assured that that level of availability was sufficient to meet demand but we did have some concerns that two telephones for a population regularly around 130-140 was not sufficient. All personal mail (throughout the

prison) was being delivered to prisoners in accordance with standard SPS instructions. Prisoners had access to the canteen every weekday.

3.8 Full kit changes were available every day and no real problems were being experienced with regard to the availability of kits. The vast bulk of the laundry was sent to HMP Peterhead but there was a facility in the Hall whereby prisoners could hand-wash small items. Prisoners could wear their own clothing during recreation periods but were required to wear prison issue clothing at all other times. There was also regular access to showering facilities.

3.9 At weekends, in addition to PE sessions and Sunday Chapel service, recreation was available between 1400 and 1600 hours. Also at weekends, there was a Duty Manager’s inspection of the cells.

3.10 As regards the routine for the protection prisoners, on weekdays they were unlocked at 0700 hours so that they could have access to the same facilities as but prior to the mainstream prisoners. Between 0815 and 0915 hours, they had the offer of either outdoor exercise or PE with the rest of the morning taken up by with low-grade work in their cells. Lunch and evening meals were delivered to the cells before the rest of the Hall was served and just before the evening recreation period, the protection prisoners were allowed out of cell time to use the telephone or to collect newspapers. Recreation took the form of in-cell association with a maximum of three to a cell and though board games were available, the prisoners seemed to be unaware of their existence. Showers were available every day in the lockable shower area within the Hall and kit changes were in line with the rest of the Hall. Similarly, they had daily access to the canteen but only one visit per week to the library and one session in the Education Unit. A member of the Management team visited the protection prisoners’ cells every day. At weekends, the only time out of cell was for an early morning shower, with a 30 minute period in the afternoon for telephone access; cell association was available during the afternoon recreation period.

‘B’ Hall

(i) Accommodation

3.11 The Hall contained 32 cells, of which two were suicide observation cells, on three flats. Apart from the observation cells and one other, all the cells were furnished for double occupancy. Cellular accommodation and condition were very similar to those in ‘A’ Hall with each one having an enclosed integral sanitation unit, a wash-hand basin, electric power, internal light switches and a small electric kettle. Similarly, the beds had duvet covers and fire retardant mattresses and there was an adequately sized pin board in each cell. All the cells had two chairs but there was a shortage of buckets though we were assured that a supply was currently on order. As with ‘A’ Hall, we noted that a considerable number of the cell windows had missing panes of glass. There were archways on each flat which contained toilets and showers but there were only five showers in total for the whole Hall.

(ii) Routine

3.12 There were two routines available - one for mainstream remands and one for those on protection, though there was no one in that latter category at the time of our inspection. Adult and YO remands had the same routine.

3.13 For mainstream remands, morning unlock was at 0700 hours followed by breakfast, requests and sick parade. Showers were available between 0815 and 0845 hours and a one hour period of outdoor exercise was offered from 0930. PE was available between 1030 and 1130 when there was a further opportunity to shower. Lunch was at 1200 hours with a lock-up thereafter until afternoon recreation from 1400 to 1600 hours in a large room adjacent to the Hall. Facilities within the recreation room consisted of pool and table tennis and part of the area had been sectioned off to provide a TV room. There was also a video but because it had been vandalised in the past, the machine was now held in the staff office in the Hall. We were assured that it was available on request but it was conceded that it had not been in use for some considerable time. We were advised that a new video facility was to be provided and we have written to the Governor to suggest that ensuring that remand prisoners have access to video facilities should be given a degree of priority. During the day when recreation was not on, cell association was allowed on request. The evening meal was served around 1700 hours and after a further period of lock-up, evening recreation was provided between 1900 and 2100 hours followed by the final lock-up at 2130. At weekends, the main differences were that showers were only available for one half hour period each day and there was only one period of recreation - i.e. between 1400 and 1600 hours.

3.14 Kit changes were available every day though being remand prisoners, they were allowed to wear their own clothes which they could change at visit times. Duvet covers were changed twice a week and the duvets themselves were laundered approximately every six months.

3.15 There were two card telephones in the recreation room but no booking system was in operation and we had some concerns that the ‘free-for-all’ system meant that not everyone was getting the same opportunity to make a call in the time available. There was also a card telephone in the Hall but that was kept mainly for use by those on protection or punishment though mainstream remands could have a brief period of access immediately after their evening meal. Access to the canteen was five times a week and a spending limit was imposed. There were no opportunities to attend education classes and there was only a small supply of books in the Hall which served as a library, though prisoners could also request books from the ‘A’ Hall facility. There were no board games available though we were advised that a selection was on order.

3.16 Remand prisoners being held on protection were normally located on the bottom flat of the Hall and we were told they were offered a one hour outdoor exercise period every day; if the weather was poor, exercise was held in the recreation room. There were no separate recreation facilities for protections though they were offered cell association at a maximum of four to a cell. They received the same kit changes as mainstream remands and specific times were set aside for them to have showers and to get access to the card telephone in the Hall; similarly, separate arrangements were made for use of the canteen. Visits were taken at the same time as other remand prisoners though they were escorted separately to the visit room.

Comment

3.17 As noted above, in general terms we considered the prisoners’ accommodation to be of a reasonably good standard and we were pleased to see the efforts which were being made to maintain those standards. We have, however, written to the Governor suggesting that there should be regular audits of all bedding to ensure that all stocks in use were of an acceptable standard. We were disappointed at the number of window panes which were missing but we were advised by the Estates Manager that because of the design of the windows, prisoners knocked the panes out during the summer months to provide better ventilation. It had been decided, therefore, not to undertake any replacement programme until the onset of the winter months and at the time of our inspection, that programme was about to begin.

3.18 Specifically regarding ‘B’ Hall, given that there were in total only five showers for the whole Hall and that with the introduction of integral sanitation in the cells the toilets in those areas were now largely redundant, we suggest that consideration be given to removing at least some of those toilets and replacing them with additional showers.

3.19 As regards the routine, we were pleased to see the efforts which were being made to try to get mainstream prisoners out of their cells though we considered the recreation facilities to be rather lacking in imagination; in particular, the recreation room for remand prisoners was a large and featureless room which would have benefited from being redecorated and re-designed. We suggest, therefore, that there should be a review of all aspects of the recreation arrangements. We also considered that there should be a review of the number of card telephones which were available for prisoners’ use - particularly for remand prisoners - including more flexible use of the telephone in ‘B’ Hall. Consideration should also be given to the introduction of some form of booking system during recreation periods to try to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to gain access to this facility.

3.20 Our main concern related to the routine which was available for prisoners on protection. Though we fully understand the need to keep them apart from mainstream prisoners and the problems which this can cause in a traditional gallery style Hall, nevertheless we feel that efforts should be made to give these prisoners more time out of their cells. At the time of our last inspection, similar concerns were expressed though reference had also been made to the forthcoming provision of a separate recreation room with its own card telephone. It would appear, however, that no such provision was ever made and if anything, the routine for protection prisoners had deteriorated. We suggest, therefore, that there should be a review of the routine for protection prisoners with the specific aim of introducing more time out of cell and ensuring that they are given the offer of a one-hour period of outdoor exercise seven days a week. Possibilities might include the use of the Chapel at certain times of the day to provide access to TV/video and if it is not possible to provide employment in a workshop, consideration of the feasibility of allowing prisoners to move into other cells to work in order to break up the monotony of always being with the same person.

Female Unit

(i) Accommodation

3.21 The Female Unit was located at the end of the main administration corridor and with the exception of a downstairs storeroom, all facilities were located on one flat. The accommodation provided places for 10 prisoners and comprised a four bedded dormitory, two double cells and two single cells; within that accommodation there were facilities for a mother and baby. All rooms were well furnished and decorated with wardrobe space, drawers, clean bedding, curtains, a pinboard and separate toilet and washhand basin.

3.22 The Unit also contained one shower and two toilets with a bath in the Reception area. That area also had adequate storage rooms for prison and personal clothing as well as a medical screening room where the Medical Officer (MO) and Nursing staff saw all admissions and those who required medical treatment. Record cards and medical records were the only documents retained in the Unit, with everything else being held in the General Office.

3.23 There was a day room which in addition to being the prisoners’ recreation facility, was also their working area. Within that area there was a pool table, TV and video, karaoke machine and a small cabinet containing books which had either been left by prisoners or handed in by staff. In one corner was a kitchen area that was equipped with a microwave, hot-water urn and toaster. The Unit also had a laundry room which contained a sink area, one washing machine and a tumble dryer. One prisoner was employed in that area to do the laundry for the Unit as well as towels and T-shirts for the remand Hall. There was also one further storage area containing the work items that were used on weekdays.

3.24 Staff facilities included a small office with a SPIN terminal, a shower (with no curtain), a toilet and a reasonably sized staff rest area containing cooker, fridge, kettle, toaster and lockers.

(ii) Routine

3.25 During the week, the day commenced around 0700 hours and finished with lock-up at 2115 hours; at weekends the hours were from 0730 to 1700. All meals were taken in cells, though this could be in association with up to four to a cell, and were delivered in plated form from the kitchen by trolley. Mornings were taken up with Unit cleaning with each prisoner being allocated a specific task or job. PE was available in the gymnasium Tuesday to Friday and Sunday mornings from 0930 to 1030 hours with education being available on Thursday mornings from 0900 until 1145 hours in the Education Unit.

3.26 A one hour exercise period was available every day after lunch in a grassed yard just outside the Unit. Afternoons were then taken up with work which could involve some laundry work or carrying out quality checks on medical combs, with visits for remand prisoners also being available during that period. After the evening meal and the staff break, the Unit was opened between 1900 and 2100 hours for recreation; during that time, convicted prisoner visits were available. Access to visits for all prisoners in the Unit was the same as was stipulated for the main prison.

3.27 The weekend routine followed a similar pattern except that exercise was available prior to lunch time and recreation was available in the afternoons.

(iii) Female Prisoners Perceptions

3.28 Generally, the women appeared content with the fact that they were able to remain in Aberdeen, which facilitated family contact. This was of overriding importance particularly during a period on remand. However, the lack of purposeful activity and the boredom that prevailed through living in such close proximity and in restricted accommodation meant that on conviction, most prisoners requested a transfer to Cornton Vale.

3.29 Relationships with staff were said to be good and the atmosphere was relaxed. However, the other main complaint was the amount of time spent locked in cells both for meals and when there were staff shortages in other parts of the prison. On some occasions they were locked in the day room.

3.30 Some other issues of a minor nature were raised and these were passed on separately to the Governor.

Comment

3.31 The Female Unit was small and compact and the accommodation was being maintained to a satisfactory and comfortable standard. However, it provided little in the way of stimulation for any of the prisoners located there though the atmosphere was relaxed and it was evident that staff/prisoner relationships were positive. The permanent staff on both divisions had been to Cornton Vale to attend the Women in Custody course and we were pleased to note that the relief staff were also due to attend. Nevertheless, the lack of purposeful activity was an area of concern to us and we urge that the regime be reviewed with the objective of minimising the boredom for prisoners located there.

3.32 In spite of these shortcomings, the Female Unit had given local prisoners the opportunity to remain close to family and friends and that was recognised by all as a significant benefit to those women who were either remanded in custody or undertaking short sentences.

Training for Freedom Hostel

3.33 The location and capacity of the TFF hostel had remained unchanged since our last inspection. It was located close to the Gate but within the prison perimeter and although there were two emergency exits - one into the vehicle lock and one on to the car park approach (and thus on to the street) - normal movements were via the Gate.

3.34 The hostel was on two floors. The ground floor contained a living room, a recreation/utility room, a kitchen and a toilet whilst the upper storey contained a sizeable ablutions area with wash hand basins, toilets and a shower. Also on that floor was the sleeping accommodation which consisted of two single rooms with wash hand basins and one six-bedded dormitory, where we were pleased to note that Captain’s beds had been introduced. Within the hostel there was also a staff office.

3.35 Visits to two outplacements - i.e. a fish processing plant and a community charity shop - confirmed reports that the work done by the TFF prisoners was useful and appreciated. We were satisfied also that the work provided opportunities for re-socialising prisoners.

Comment

3.36 Whilst we were generally pleased with the running of the TFF hostel, we considered the accommodation to be somewhat dingy and drab and therefore in need of upgrading. Whilst recognising the value of an outplacement programme for prisoners, given the premium which is now being placed on space in Aberdeen coupled with the fact that there are only two outplacements at present, we are inclined to see the hostel as something of a luxury in the present climate. We have, therefore, written to the Governor suggesting that consideration should be given to the longer-term use of this facility.