3. ACCOMMODATION AND ROUTINES

3.1 Residential accommodation in the Institution is contained in five Halls, each of which is different in design and capacity.

‘A’ Hall

Accommodation

3.2 The main part of the Hall contained two flats each of 19 cells, 16 of which were of single accommodation whilst the three double cells on each flat were used to house the Hall passmen and pantrymen and YOs who requested to share. Each of the cells was adequately furnished in terms of beds, chairs and fitted units and in the absence of integral sanitation, each occupant had either a portable chemical toilet or a pot. Bedding was provided, including duvets, and each cell had curtains and a small pin-board, with the local rule about limiting posters to those boards being strictly adhered to. None of the cells had electric power or internal light switches. Ablutions areas were located at the end of each of the three flats and were perfectly acceptable in terms of both size and cleanliness.

3.3 In overall terms, the standard of accommodation in the Hall was basic but generally acceptable and we were pleased to note the absence of any graffiti; however, we felt that the time had come when the cells would have benefited from redecoration.

3.4 Below the main part of the Hall was an area which contained eight separate cells - see paragraph 4.6.

Routine

3.5 During the midweek, the morning unlock was 0600 hours for those going to Court who, after breakfast, were uplifted by the bus from HMYOI Polmont. For the rest of the Hall, unlock was at 0615 for ablutions, requests and breakfast which, like all other meals, was served in the dining area adjacent to the Hall - see paragraph 7.3. The rest of the morning was taken up mainly with cleaning duties and canteen, with showers being available on request. Outwith those activities, the remands were locked in their cells until lunch which was served from 1200 hours.

3.6 Physical Education (PE) was available for one hour and 15 minutes from 1300 hours and recreation was on an individual flat basis, alternating between one flat going in the afternoon and the other in the evening. The arrangements for recreation depended very much, however, on the staffing situation. For example, during the course of our inspection staff absence levels were high - see paragraphs 9.11-12 - and on some occasions, staff shortages in the Halls meant that recreation was not offered at all. When on evening recreation, there was an opportunity to attend the Learning Centre in the afternoon which meant that every remand in the Hall was offered education on two afternoons per week. The evening meal was served from 1600 hours - see paragraph 7.6.

3.7 Recreation was provided in a room adjacent to the Hall dining room and consisted mainly of watching TV/video though the remands could also book a game on one of the two pool tables. Some newspapers were also available and the library consisted of a cupboard containing a few rather old and tattered books (which were rarely used). There was one telephone in the recreation room - which was the only card telephone for ‘A’ Hall remands - and access was by means of a waiting list. With only one card telephone for the Hall, unless exceptional circumstances prevailed, the only time remands could make contact with family and friends was during recreation. Each session of recreation lasted about two hours and during those periods, visit sessions were also held. Those not on evening recreation or at a visit were locked in their cell though cell association - usually a maximum of two to a cell - was normally allowed. We noted, however, that there appeared to be no clear written guidance on cell association and it seemed that it was very much an ad hoc arrangement which depended on staffing levels and the discretion of whoever was on duty at the time. Lock up was at 2100 hours.

3.8 At weekends, in addition to visits the only activities available were PE on both days and afternoon recreation, with one flat going on Saturday and one on Sunday.

3.9 Each remand who chose not to wear his own clothing - i.e. the majority - was provided with one complete set of prison clothing. Small kit changes were available every day (including weekends), shirts and bedding were changed every Friday and towels were changed twice a week. We did note, however, that the towels which were issued were small and not adequate for those taking regular showers.

3.10 For those who opted to take PE, that was regarded as their exercise period. For the others, exercise was nominally available in good weather and consisted of sitting about around the outside playing field. The reality was, however, that very few remands ever participated in that activity - either because they declined the invitation to participate or, as was frequently the case, the weather was deemed to be inappropriate. This meant that apart from those occasions when PE involved outdoor football, for a significant number of the remands there were few opportunities to spend time in the fresh air.

3.11 We were satisfied that personal mail and any cash contents were being dealt with in accordance with SPS instructions. We noted also that the Hall notice boards, in common with the boards in other Halls, contained a great deal of relevant and up-to-date information for the remands.

‘A’ Hall Annex

Accommodation

3.12 The Annex contained a total of 12 cells, each of which was furnished for double occupancy. The Annex had been left vacant as a national contingency reserve but shortly before our inspection, a decision had been taken to use at least part of that accommodation to house some of the PADs who would normally be located in HMP Greenock. At the time of our inspection there were two PADs located there. The accommodation was of a reasonable standard with each cell containing bunk beds, chairs, a pin-board and a small wooden storage unit. The overall standard of the decoration was reasonable though as with other parts of the Institution, it would have benefited from a fresh coat of paint. The Annex had its own recreation area which contained a TV/video and a pool table. There was also a suitably sized ablutions area.

Routine

3.13 Employment opportunities for the PADs extended either to working in the kitchen or on general cleaning duties. As regards other regime activities, we noted that they had daily access to the canteen, PE and visit sessions. Kit changes were also available on a daily basis and there was regular access to a card telephone. Outdoor exercise was available, weather permitting, but apart from having access to a supply of native language books from the Mitchell Library in Glasgow, there were no opportunities to attend education. With the exception of patrol periods, the PADs had open access to their recreation facilities. In overall terms, we were content with the regime activities which were available for the PADs and it was clear from our discussions with them that they were also satisfied with what was being provided.

‘B’ Hall

Accommodation

3.14 The Hall contained 12 cells each of which was furnished for double occupancy. Previously used as the Children’s Unit, it now housed the convicted adult population who at the time of our inspection, numbered 20. Each of the prisoners had a key to their cell and so had access to night sanitation facilities which were contained in two ablutions areas, one at each end of the Hall. These areas had recently been decorated but were already showing signs of deterioration; we noted also that in one of those areas, the extractor fan only operated when the light was on. There was also a small area within the Hall which contained tea and toast making facilities.

3.15 Each cell contained adequate furniture, but ventilation was by means of a small plastic plate with holes fitted to the window. There was no electric power or internal light switches in any of the cells. Many of the cells also had damaged or peeling paintwork and were clearly in need of redecoration.

3.16 Within the Hall there was a small recreation area, access to which was gained by going through the Institution’s Orderly Room. The recreation area contained a satellite television and video facility, a pool table and a computer game. There was also access to a limited selection of board games and books and a card telephone which was located in the Orderly Room.

Routine

3.17 The routine for the adult population is described in detail at paragraphs 6.11-14.

‘C’ Hall

Accommodation

3.18 The cellular accommodation was contained in three flats each of 16 cells, nine of which were furnished for double occupancy; however, because of the lower remand numbers, the top flat in the Hall was not being used at the time of inspection. The actual cells were furnished in the same way as those in ‘A’ Hall though a more recent redecoration had given the whole area a better, fresher look. We did note, however, that the ventilation in the ablutions areas seemed to be inadequate and some problems were being experienced with the water pressure in those areas. Also, there were no privacy screens for the showers on the second flat.

Routine

3.19 As with ‘A’ Hall, the remands arrived from ‘D’ Hall - which was the induction Hall - and because there was no progression system in place, the routine was mainly the same as that which was available in ‘A’ Hall, including access to canteen, PE, showers, visit and kit changes. The only exception was that for those in ‘C’ and ‘D’ Halls, there was additional access to the Learning Centre - see paragraphs 6.40 and 6.45. Meals were eaten in a dining hall adjacent to the kitchen, a facility which was shared with ‘D’ Hall though meals were taken at different times. Recreation was available in an area which again was shared with ‘D’ Hall and took place on alternate afternoons and evenings; when remands from ‘D’ Hall were using the facility, cell association was available though again, that tended to be rather an ad hoc arrangement at the discretion of staff. As with other Halls, there were very few opportunities for outside exercise. There was only one card telephone in the Hall which was available by giving names to staff who maintained a list. Evening lock-up was at 2100 hours during the week and at 1600 hours at weekends.

‘D’ Hall

Accommodation

3.20 The accommodation was contained on four flats with a total of 68 cells, nine of which were used for double occupancy. For the majority of the Hall, the standard of the accommodation was very similar to that found in ‘A’ and ‘C’ Halls with the cells being generally free of graffiti and furnished to a basic but reasonable standard. As with ‘A’ Hall, however, the entire area would have benefited from redecoration.

3.21 On the ground and first flats, there was a small section containing eight cells which were used to accommodate those who were under some form of observation. These cells contained a concrete plinth on to which was placed a mattress and each had a cardboard table and chair and a chamber pot.

3.22 The ablutions areas for the Hall were generally clean though we noted that for the second flat, there was only one shower (though there was also a bath) where there was room to accommodate more showers.

Routine

3.23 ‘D’ Hall operated a variety of routines. The ground flat - which was known as the Support Unit - contained the eight cells for those on suicide observation and the remands who were located there were required to wear the SPS’s anti-suicide garments, though they did change into prison issue clothing for visits. Breakfast was at 0700 which in common with other meals was delivered by trolley and eaten in cell. Thereafter, with the exception of patrol times the cells were unlocked and group association was actively encouraged. Remands in that section were also given the option of participating every day in one hour PE sessions and midweek education classes. Recreation normally consisted of watching TV/videos in a small room in the Surgery area but depending on staff numbers, arrangements were sometimes made for the remands to get access to the main ‘C’ and ‘D’ Hall recreation area where they could have a game of pool. Wherever it took place, the recreation facilities were available every day though the actual times could vary. Access to the canteen was every day except Friday and though there was only one card telephone in the Hall, we were assured that the remands could have fairly easy access. Kit changes were in line with other parts of the Institution.

3.24 The first flat of the Hall was split into two parts. The eight cell section, also known as a Support Unit, contained remands on Basic Suicide Supervision (BSS) and any overspill from the ground flat; remands who required protection were also held in this area. The routine was very similar to the ground floor Support Unit except that the cells were not open for as long during the day though cell association - at a maximum of three to a cell - was allowed. Access to all other aspects of the routine was at the same time and in the same locations as on the ground floor.

3.25 The main part of the flat held all others who were on some form of observation and they had access to the same regime facilities and kit changes as ‘C’ Hall. Meals were eaten in association in the dining room and there was daily access to PE, education and canteen. Again in common with other parts of the Institution, there were very few opportunities for outdoor exercise and there was only one card telephone for the whole Hall.

3.26 The second flat contained admissions and returns from Court and the aim was that everyone should spend only a very short time on that flat - usually one night - before being allocated to another part of the Institution. All those who were admitted to the flat were examined by the MO and an assessment made before moving to another part of the Hall or to another part of the Institution. During their stay on the flat, the remands’ routine was the same as for those on the main part of the first flat.

3.27 Also on the second flat, there was a small eight cell section which was similar to that on the ground and first floor flats and which was used to locate those who had been sent there as part of the ‘Bullying Awareness Strategy in Longriggend’ (BASIL). Under that strategy, remands who were caught bullying or were suspected of so doing would be interviewed by a senior manager and either given a warning or relocated to the second flat for a period of between seven and 28 days, depending on whether the bullying was repeated. Whilst on the second flat, they would be required to wear a special tabard and sit at a separate table during meal times if they chose to attend the dining hall. They were also required to wear a tabard and sit apart from everyone else during recreation periods when they would be restricted to watching TV/videos. PE sessions were held at the same time as those on suicide observation but always in a different part of the gymnasium. As part of the strategy, aspects such as attitude to staff, personal hygiene and room cleanliness were closely monitored and if found to be unacceptable, the Hall Supervisor could extend the period of time spent on the second flat. In addition, interviews were carried out by various personnel including, Chaplains, Social Work, Prison Fellowship and Hall Supervisor. Once the stipulated period was completed, the remand was returned to the Hall in which he had previously been located though his behaviour would continue to be monitored.

3.28 The top flat of the Hall was one large section of 17 cells and contained those who would otherwise be accommodated in ‘A’ or ‘C’ Halls. The routine for that flat was exactly the same as for the main parts of the other flats.

Comment

3.29 As regards the overall standards of accommodation, we noted some improvements since the time of our last inspection. With the exception of the observation cells, all the accommodation units had been given new fitted units which were a big improvement over the previous wooden ones. We noted, however, that although the maintenance programme in respect of redecoration was up-to-date, the overall standard - with the possible exception of ‘C’ Hall - could have been better (see paragraph 7.15).

3.30 The one major area which gave us real cause for concern was the condition of the windows throughout the Institution.

In our last two formal inspection reports we have criticised the design of the windows and despite assurances that some action would be taken, we once again found a situation where different types of rubbish could be found stuck between the windows and the grilles which had been installed. In the circumstances, we consider that we have no option but to repeat our recommendation that action be taken to resolve the problem of the extremely unhygienic conditions which were being caused by Longriggend’s unsatisfactory cell windows, a problem we have now been highlighting since 1988.

3.31 We noted that not only was there no integral sanitation in the cells or access to night sanitation facilities but also that the Strategic Plan for the Institution contained no firm bids or proposals for such a project. Given the SPS’s commitment to progressing the provision of access to night sanitation, we were disappointed by this discovery.

3.32 As regards the routine, we have to acknowledge the fact that the average stay in the Institution is only 17 days which means that the scope for regime activities is fairly limited; we also recognise that the amount of time out of cell and the opportunities which were offered are significantly better than is available to remands in many other establishments. That said, we feel that a number of improvements could be effected and we suggest that consideration be given to the following:-

3.32.1 In our opinion, remands should not be expected to use duvet covers which had been used by others without first being laundered. Remands arriving in ‘D’ Hall came with pillowcases and bed sheets from Reception which they then took with them to their next Hall. We suggest, therefore, that that system should be extended to include duvet covers.

3.32.2. The current practice of offering mainly exercise or PE should be reviewed in order to provide as full an activity programme as possible, including periods of time in the fresh air.

3.32.3 The existing arrangements for recreation should be reviewed to make them more imaginative and more stimulating.

3.32.4 The arrangements for cell association should be standardised and set out in writing so that everyone is clear about how the system should operate.

3.32.5 There should be a review of the arrangements for the issue of towels.

3.33 In addition to the above points, we also had some concerns about the number of card telephones in the Institution and consequently, the opportunities for remands to keep in contact with friends and in particular, families. This issue is the subject of a recommendation at paragraph 5.1.