3. ACCOMMODATION AND ROUTINE

Accommodation

3.1 Cellular accommodation within the NIC was contained in three landings and comprised a total of 54 single cells, two of which were suitable for Category ‘A’ prisoners, together with five observation cells. However, as the latter were very rarely used for that purpose, consideration was being given to the possibility of furnishing them as ordinary cells thereby increasing the overall capacity of the establishment. Under that proposal, the cells would be converted in such a way that, at very short notice, they could be returned to their former use should the need arise. It was the NIC’s policy that every prisoner would be accommodated in a single cell which meant that if the establishment was at capacity, they would not take any more prisoners until such time as someone else was transferred.

3.2 As part of our inspection, we visited every cell and were satisfied with the standard of furnishings, decoration, heating, lighting and ventilation. All the cells had electric power and furniture was in good condition. Pinboards had not been provided though ample wall space had been allocated for personal photographs and posters. All the cell call alarms tested were found to be in working order.

3.3 The Category ‘A’ and the observation cells were located on the bottom landing and were kept separated from the rest of the accommodation by means of a grille gate. Those cells had integral sanitation whilst all others were on a night sanitation system which was controlled from the main prison. Located on each landing were adequate numbers of showers, toilets and wash-hand basins, all of which were in a satisfactory condition.

Comment

3.4 We were very pleased with the high standard of accommodation throughout the establishment. It was also clear that efforts were being made by staff and prisoners to maintain that standard.

Routine

3.5 On weekdays, morning unlock was at 0730 hours when prisoners could use the ablutions, attend to their personal laundry and report sick. Breakfast was around 0800 after which the daily Regime Activities Programme started - see paragraphs 6.4-8. Lunch was at 1200 hours and was eaten in the accommodation areas. However, prisoners were not restricted to their own cells during the lunch period and in fact, provided staff knew where they were, they could have access to any of the landings. A one hour period of outdoor exercise was available from 1300 hours prior to the start of the afternoon activities which then lasted until 1530. After that time, prisoners undertook a number of personal chores and the evening meal was served around 1615 hours. That was followed by a period of lock-up from 1700 to 1815 hours, with evening recreation - which consisted of television, video, table tennis, snooker, darts and board games - starting at 1830 hours. Those who opted not to participate in recreation were locked in their cell and no cell association was allowed. Evening visit sessions ran from 1915 to 2015 hours and prisoners could also have access to the gymnasium from the start of recreation until visits started. Evening lock-up was at 2100 hours. The only exception to the weekday routine was on a Friday afternoon when instead of the Activities Programme, visits were available between 1330 and 1600 hours. Those who were not having a visit could attend recreation though, due to staff resource limitations, there was no access to the gymnasium.

3.6 At weekends, morning unlock was at 0800 hours followed by breakfast at 0815. At 0900 there was a one hour period of outdoor exercise with the Sunday church services also being available at that time (but see paragraphs 6.25-26). Those who opted to go to the service were offered outdoor exercise during the recreation period which ran from 1000 to 1130 hours. On Saturdays, recreation included access to the sports field whilst on Sundays the gymnasium was available. Lunch was at 1130 hours and following a period of lock-up from 1200 to 1330, recreation was once again available until 1600 hours. During that time, two one hour visit sessions were also held. The evening meal was served at 1615 followed by lock-up at 1700 hours.

3.7 With regard to other aspects of the routine, we were satisfied with the arrangements for the issue and changes of kit. Prisoners were allowed to wear their own clothing during periods of recreation and the list of permitted items in use, including bedding, had been drawn up to reflect what they would be allowed when they moved to their prison of allocation. There were sufficient telephones within the establishment to ensure that everyone had reasonable access and prisoners were allowed to use the facility at any time when they were unlocked. In addition to the number of telephone cards that they could buy out of their wages and from their personal cash, those who had outstanding appeals against conviction or sentence were permitted to purchase up to an additional five cards per week out of their personal cash to enable them to make contact with their legal representatives. Showers were available throughout periods of unlock and adequate arrangements were in place for laundering items of prison or personal clothing - see paragraphs 7.9-10. There was also an iron on each landing to which prisoners had access.

3.8 On admission, every prisoner was allocated a Personal Officer (with another Officer designated as a back-up) and part of the ethos of the regime was that there should be constant dialogue between prisoners and their Personal Officers. We also noted with interest that it was encouraged that all dialogue between prisoners and staff at all levels would be conducted using first name terms.

3.9 As regards the Regime Activities Programme (see also paragraphs 6.4-8), each week day was split into three sessions. Four activities took place during each of those sessions and the present capacity of the various activities currently on offer was:-

The Information Sessions offered a variety of options including a drugs programme which was delivered in eight sessions over a two week period and was held every three months. Details of all 23 Information Sessions available are contained at Annex 2.

Comment

3.10 We were impressed with the routine that was available for prisoners on weekdays. There was a great deal of activity which was of a varied nature and we were pleased to see that both staff and prisoners were fully involved in all aspects. All statutory requirements associated with other aspects of the routine appeared to have been met.

3.11 Our major concern related to the contrast between the weekday routine and that which obtained at the week-end. There being only exercise, visits and recreation on Saturdays and Sundays, this tended to diminish the value of the purposeful activity which was being promoted for the rest of the week. This involved understandable boredom, which was probably encouraging prisoners to engage in less desirable activities such as drug taking. We believe that management should review the weekend programme with the aim of providing far more purposeful activities.