1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 An inspection of HM Remand Institution, Longriggend was carried out during the period 31 August - 5 September 1997. This review was overdue by more than a year as a result of the bringing forward to mid-1996 of our formal inspection of HM Institution Cornton Vale, in response to a sudden spate of suicides at that establishment. The previous formal inspection of Longriggend had been in June 1992, though a number of short visits had been made to the establishment in the intervening period.

1.2 The previous formal report had referred to an impression of decay in the overall fabric of the Institution but, with the exception of the cell window grilles, we were satisfied with the progress which had been made on this front. However, whilst acknowledging the expense involved in implementing any improvements, we also noted the need for an upgrading of some aspects of security, a situation recognised in a recent SPS security audit.

1.3 On the positive side, relations between staff, remands and the prisoner population were good, the food was reasonable and a comprehensive anti-bullying strategy was in place. That said, some imagination needs to be applied to the induction process and to some aspects of the daily regime, particularly bearing in mind the Institution’s isolated location; all of these aspects are discussed in greater detail in later sections of this report.

1.4 At the time of inspection, there was no substantive Governor-in-Charge, the previous incumbent having served less than 12 months before being posted in early July to another establishment; a new Governor - the third in fifteen months - was, however, appointed shortly after our inspection. This situation reflects a trend towards turbulence amongst senior management teams which has been encountered elsewhere - for example, see our reports on Cornton Vale, Edinburgh and Penninghame - though the Acting Governor is to be commended for the way in which he had been managing the establishment.