1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 An inspection of HM National Induction Centre (NIC), which was the first formal visit since the establishment opened in 1995, was carried out during the period 21-23 January 1998. The Unit is located within the perimeter of HMP Shotts, which in turn is located south of the M8 between Glasgow and Edinburgh. It has its own Governor I/C but is entirely dependent upon the main prison for the provision of most of its central services such as Catering, Medical, Estates and Reception, all of which will be subject to later inspection.

1.2 The inspection team totalled four in number and included a Guest Inspector from the Northern Ireland Prison Service; an Observer from Northern Ireland also attended - further details are contained at Annex 5.

1.3 The Inspection Team was impressed by what was being achieved by the NIC, with it quickly becoming apparent that the quality of the interaction and relationships between prisoners and staff was having a most positive impact on what might otherwise have become entrenched attitudes without intervention. Prisoners were being required to participate in a varied and meaningful regime Activities Programme, supervised by extremely well motivated Prison Officers. It was our view that difficult individuals were being well prepared for the lengthy sentences which they would subsequently be carrying out in long term establishments such as Shotts, Glenochil and Perth, though we noted that the commitment to evaluate the operation of the NIC, which was a key recommendation in the document which led to its setting up, had not yet been put into place. Separately we were also concerned at the high number of positive tests which were apparent from random mandatory drug testing (MDT).

1.4 Direct evidence of what was being achieved can be seen from the statements shown below, which were obtained prior to the inspection by talking to a number of long term prisoners (LTP) who had passed through the NIC in recent times. The following, which includes some negatives, were their own words:

Q. Did you find the NIC experience useful?

"It works because you are made aware of what is going to happen in the future and you receive more personal attention from staff."

"It helps you to adjust to jail situations and gives the authorities time to assess you."

"It was like starting secondary school - if you know a bit more you can get your head down."

"It benefited someone like myself who had not done a sentence before; it was more like an induction to prison."

"If I had come straight to mainstream I don’t know what would have happened."

Q. What did you find particularly helpful?

"Gave me time and space in a relaxed atmosphere to come to terms with things."

"The regime and staff were very flexible."

"There was a good Personal Officer Scheme working."

"The visits were good, during which staff were not overbearing like they can be in the mainstream. This helped maintain family relations at a difficult time.

"It taught me how to get on with staff."

Q. How does the culture in the NIC differ from the mainstream?

"The NIC is more like a community; there is not the same violence and bullying."

"I didn’t speak to staff in the YO but in the NIC I did."

"Staff and the regime in the NIC are very flexible."

"Relationships with staff are good due to the high staff ratio."

"The culture’s just the same."

Q. In your opinion do all NIC prisoners benefit from the experience?

"Previous offenders abuse the system and don’t benefit from the opportunity."

"Old cons think negatively and disrupt the Groups."

"The guys who had done sentences before just want to get on with their sentence instead of sitting in the NIC."

Q. How well do you think your exit from the NIC was managed?

"There was no Induction when I came into the mainstream."

"Labour allocation at Glenochil was unfair; nobody discussed any options with me."

"The reduced visit opportunities at this new location have been bad for family relations."

"Courses were being repeated because no records had come from the NIC."

"We should be credited with the time served in the NIC when being considered for upgrading from the bottom hall in the mainstream."

Q. What if anything did you find unhelpful?

"The NIC is a good concept although you do feel that you are the subject of psychological evaluation."

"I never met the Lifer Liaison Officer. No information for Lifers either."

"I wasn’t credited with the time served on reception to the LTP prison and therefore had to spend the full period in the bottom hall."

"The purpose should be to open guys eyes about what prison is about, it shouldn’t be about groups. If you had been in jail before, all that is happening is you are getting it all forced on you again."

"I didn’t want to talk about drink and drugs problems all day."

Q. Any suggestions for improvements to the NIC regime?

"Group work should be compulsory."

"An ex-Lifer or one finishing his sentence should be allowed to come and speak to Lifers to tell them how he managed his Life Sentence."

"Regular offenders are wasting their time and should not be allowed to go to the NIC."

"The regime should not be better than the top hall is in the prison to which you are going to be moved."