5. MAJOR CUSTODY ISSUES

Isolation of Establishment

5.1 The isolated location of Longriggend may, in our opinion, be having a particular effect on some of its young population, many of whom can be at a vulnerable stage in their life. Whilst this has been a factor ever since the establishment opened, we assess that this may now be gaining a greater prominence due to the ever-increasing pressures on young males generally, including the problem of drug misuse. Thus, some young men have been arriving at Longriggend in an isolated, uncertain condition and can be suffering from serious drug withdrawal problems; the often sudden break from close family contact is an additional factor which can be particularly crucial in the first few days of custody. However, many visitors face a lengthy journey by bus or car to the Institution and could well be deterred from visiting regularly. For these reasons, we recommend that family contact measures be improved by:-

5.1.1 an increase in the number of card telephones throughout the Institution with each remand being actively encouraged to make contact with his family as soon as possible after admission; and

5.1.2 an adjustment to the visits system with the particular aim of increasing the length of visits at weekends. (This is discussed in more detail at paragraph 6.71.)

Safety

5.2 We were re-assured by the comparatively low level of assaults which were currently being recorded within the Institution; we were also impressed by the comprehensive anti-bullying strategy which was highly spoken of by some remands - see paragraph 4.3. Those factors led us to conclude that so far as these aspects were concerned, Longriggend appeared to be a relatively safe place for remands and prisoners.

Drug Abuse

5.3 In the report of our 1992 inspection, there had been very little reference to drug abuse. However, by 1997 this had become an established habit amongst many remands as the scale of misuse had grown in the outside community.

5.4 However, management took the view that any drug problem was no worse than that which would be found in other establishments holding young males and after further investigation, this was an assessment with which we were inclined to agree. From anecdotal evidence, it appeared that the availability of drugs depended on the determination to obtain them by certain individuals in custody at any particular time, as well as the length of time that such individuals had to organise a supply. The result was that the amount of illegal substances within the establishment could vary greatly from time to time.

5.5 Two probable levels of abusers were identified - viz, the occasional drug users (i.e. those smoking cannabis or when they were available, taking amphetamines for recreational purposes) and the regular abusers of a variety of drugs, including heroin. Other evidence of an increase in the levels of drug abuse since our last inspection included the number of disciplinary cases coming before the Governor in the Orderly Room (see paragraph 5.8) and the number of drug finds, though the latter could be evidence of much improved intelligence targeting - for example, in the 12 months prior to our inspection, there had been a total of 60 such finds.

Mandatory Drug Testing Unit

5.6 The Mandatory Drug Testing (MDT) Unit had been operational since December 1996 and until May 1997, had been run by three Officers, including one relief on a part time basis. That arrangement ensured that two members of staff were always present when tests were being undertaken. However, due to staff shortages there had been virtually no testing in the three months prior to our inspection which meant that to all intents and purposes, the MDT system had collapsed.

5.7 In the months that the Unit had been operational, 120 tests had been carried out, of which 50 had produced positive results (though six results were still outstanding at the time of inspection). Of 13 tested under the risk assessment protocol, none had been positive, whilst three of those tested under the frequent test programme had each produced a further positive result. Sixteen had been tested on grounds of reasonable suspicion and of those, 14 were positive. In only one case had the provision of a sample been refused.

5.8 At the time of inspection, 27 cases had been dealt with by the Governor as a result of a positive test, with five having pleaded not guilty. (However, it should be borne in mind that remands have up to 30 days when it is considered that any positive test could be due to substances taken before arrest and are, therefore, not punishable whilst in custody.)

5.9 Adult prisoners who sustained two positive tests were normally returned to HMP Barlinnie.

Drug Addictions Worker

5.10 A part-time addictions worker, who had been in post for two years, was funded jointly by local authorities and the SPS and was based in the Social Work Department. He attended the prison for a total of 17 hours a week, but lack of time meant that he was only able to concentrate on one to one counselling for priority cases, who were normally referred to him by Medical, Nursing or Discipline staff. He was unable to become involved in group work or alcohol counselling.

5.11 The addictions worker stated that the number of admissions who were drug abusers had been on the increase ever since the early 1990s. In his opinion, at least 50% of admissions had some sort of drug problem, a level which justified the appointment of a full-time worker.

Comment

5.12 We reached the conclusion that the combination of a lack of any clear induction process (see paragraphs 6.7-10) coupled with the lack of a robust MDT programme, had resulted in a tendency to underestimate the number of young men with a dependency problem on admission. We therefore fully support the case for a full time drug addictions worker and so recommend. Such a post would not only address the drugs issue but would also greatly enhance the establishment’s anti-suicide strategy (see paragraphs 5.18-20). Additionally, it ought to be viewed in relation to the fact that many of those who come to Longriggend on remand either often return there or go on to other YOIs such as Polmont and Glenochil. Longriggend is the entry point for many into the SPS and it would therefore seem cost effective to start treating some of the drug problems at the very earliest opportunity, more especially when it is known that drugs are behind so many repeat crimes. We also support the view of the addictions worker that there should be a regular weekly drug rehabilitation and education programme which includes group work, HIV/AIDS and individual counselling in order that all who are admitted are exposed to an educational programme.

5.13 Separately, we assessed that detoxification arrangements were intermittent and ought to be far better co-ordinated; for example, it was not clear how much detoxification was actually taking place or even who was responsible for it, though we found that Britoflex or mild sedatives were occasionally being prescribed by the Medical Officer (MO) - see paragraph 8.6.

5.14 The early restoration of MDT is required to help in the identification of those remands with a drug dependency problem in order that intervention can take place at the earliest opportunity. In addition, contact with outside drug agencies, which appeared to have fallen away, could be much expanded.

5.15 The size of the drug problem amongst the adult convicted population at the time of inspection was assessed as being minimal though as noted above, those who tested positive were normally returned to Barlinnie.

Suicide

5.16 In the three years preceding our 1992 inspection there had been one suicide. Subsequently four fatalities had been sustained at the Institution - two in 1994, one in 1995 and one in 1996, all by hanging.

5.17 In addition there had been five serious attempts over the 12 months prior to our inspection, whilst at the time of inspection there were two remands on Strict Suicide Supervision, eight on Intermediate Suicide Supervision (ISS) and eleven on BSS; twelve remands were on Medical Observation.

5.18 The co-ordination and development of the suicide prevention strategy was undertaken through the Suicide Risk Management Group (SRMG) which had a central role in monitoring and auditing the methods and work undertaken to prevent suicide. The group met relatively frequently and in line with SPS policy, was chaired by the Deputy Governor; membership included medical, psychiatric and nursing representatives as well as the Chaplains.

Comment

5.19 We fully recognise that a great deal of effort had gone into developing procedures aimed at reducing the risk of suicide within the establishment. We felt that staff awareness was generally good and should be sustained by the continued provision of suicide awareness training for every member of staff. However, we believe that staff must place a greater priority on ensuring that family contact is made for every remand on admission - see paragraph 5.1.1 - and where family contact has been lost, every encouragement should be given to re-establish such contact. Consideration should also be given by the Social Work Unit as to the possibilities of providing some form of alternative support where family ties have irretrievably broken down. As previously stated, some of the young people at Longriggend are very vulnerable, with that risk factor having been added to by the growing incidence of drug misuse; in some cases, parallels might even be drawn with the vulnerability of female remands arriving at HM Institution Cornton Vale.

5.20 Bearing these factors in mind, together with the observation that two recent suicides had occurred within three days of admission, we believe that there should be a much greater emphasis on induction arrangements - see paragraphs 6.7-10 - in addition to which, the Institution would benefit from having some form of day care facility - see also paragraph 8.22. The local emergency number for the Samaritans could be included in the local information section of the Prisoners Information Pack and the possibility of introducing a Listener Scheme, using some of the adult convicted prisoners, ought also to be examined.