HMIP Annual Report 1997-98

7. Violence

Introduction

7.1 Last year we commented on the record number of prisoner on prisoner assaults which had been sustained across the SPS, more especially the number of serious assaults, which had doubled from 50 to 108 in 1995-96. This further increased to 127 in 1996-97.

7.2 This year there has been a slight reduction, to 108 serious assaults, though there were individual increases at Barlinnie, Glenochil and Greenock.

7.3 In parallel, 18 members of prison staff have been subjected to serious injury during the course of 1997-98.

7.4 Comparable statistics are as follows:

Comment

7.5 In the past, particularly in the 1980s and early 1990s, prison violence has often taken the form of riots and hostage taking incidents. However, it now seems to be following a more insidious route and it could well be that we are witnessing an overflow from the feuds and frustrations which emanate from the drug culture in the community. Overcrowding could be another factor, as it creates difficulties for proper staff supervision and may lead to increased tensions for all concerned.

7.6 In an attempt to deal with this problem, management at a number of establishments have introduced a range of counter measures. For example, CCTV is being used for monitoring areas of high prisoner activity at Perth and Dumfries. Other initiatives involve anti-intimidation strategies and adjustments to the arrangements for serving meals - e.g. at Edinburgh, prisoners are now being served their meals in the residential Halls for subsequent consumption in their cells, whereas previously the movement of large numbers of prisoners to and from the dining halls had offered much greater opportunities for violence. Similarly, a revised movement and seating arrangement for the dining hall has been introduced at Low Moss. The development of SPS programmes in Cognitive Skills and Anger Management may also be starting to help, as these equip prisoners with the insight and some of the skills necessary to control their aggression, both in prison and on release.

7.7 Other measures are also being implemented at SPS HQ level, including a more strategic approach to the gathering and sharing of intelligence.

The Future

7.9 Some prisoners are inherently violent and prison management cannot be expected totally to eliminate the effect these individuals have on others. Nevertheless, a combination of measures, such as those described above, would appear to offer the best hope for significant reductions in what is at present unacceptably high levels of violence. We believe, however, that these would be greatly assisted by reductions in overcrowding, as is well illustrated below:

HMP Perth 1995-98

*(NB Other measures, such as the recent introduction of CCTV, may also be helping.)