Report on HM Prison Shotts

HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland 1998

4. SECURITY, DISCIPLINE AND CONTROL

Security

4.1 The establishment’s security procedures and systems had been examined in considerable detail by the SPS security audit team in February 1997. We were satisfied that any areas of concern which were noted subsequently during the course of our inspection had already been covered by that comprehensive process.

4.2 During the year prior to our inspection there had been no escapes though there had been two attempted escapes, both of which had been from escorts.

Orderly Room

4.3 We were satisfied that adjudications were being conducted in accordance with the Prisons and Young Offenders Institutions (Scotland) Rules 1994. The main orderly room was held in the Segregation Unit where the Governor or his Deputy was normally the adjudicating Governor. In addition, relatively minor alleged breaches of discipline were dealt with in orderly rooms in the Residential area. These hearings were conducted by the appropriate Hall Unit Manager and were being held in accordance with Prison Rules. We were satisfied that there was consistency in the range and levels of punishment awarded at the Hall orderly rooms but noted that there appeared to be an upward trend in the number of minor breaches of discipline, particularly prisoners electing not to attend work and offered suggestions on how this might be addressed.

Segregation Unit

4.4 The segregation unit was a 14 cell unit which included two observation cells and was staffed on a shift basis by a Supervisor and three Officers. It was being operated in accordance with detailed written operating instructions. At the time of inspection it held eight prisoners.

Contingency Plans

4.5 We examined the contingency plans and found them to be well laid out, eclectic, regularly updated and appropriately distributed throughout the establishment. Staff to whom we spoke were aware of the standard procedures to be followed in the event of a range of incidents.

Gate and Operations Room

4.6 We visited the gate and operations room on a number of occasions and were pleased to note the rigorous approach to security adopted by all staff. There was a wide range of security monitoring equipment and staff were both knowledgeable and alert. CCTV monitoring of the establishment and the visits room was comprehensive and staff were aware of procedures and were competent in the operation of the equipment.

Control

(i) Assaults and Other Incidents

4.7 In the 12 months prior to our inspection, there had been 13 assaults on prisoners by other prisoners, nine of which had involved weapons; it is believed that a significant number of those assaults had been related to drug activity. In the same period, seven staff had been assaulted by prisoners, including two incidents in the segregation unit which involved a particularly volatile prisoner. There had been two public demonstrations at the prison about the Appeal Process for two specific prisoners. Also in that period, there had been 17 fire incidents, including 10 cell fires. A member of the Chaplaincy Team, had been held against her will for 1| hours by a disturbed prisoner in ‘D’ Hall until being released unharmed.

(ii) Control of Movement

4.8 In order to ensure the safety of prisoners and staff, there were controls on the number of prisoners allowed to associate together. As noted at paragraph 3.9, the bottom end of the local progression system was in ‘A’ Hall where prisoners were restricted to association in the sections on each flat with movement being controlled by the use of grille gates. Prisoners who progressed to ‘B’ Hall were subject to fewer restrictions whilst those in ‘C’ Hall were allowed increased freedom to associate with the minimum of restrictions in return for satisfactory behaviour.

4.9 As noted at paragraph 5.3, a review had been carried out to examine the regime and to make recommendations for change which would enhance it whilst maintaining or improving current levels of good order and security. As part of that review, prisoners and staff had been consulted and it was recognised by both groups that there had been remarkable progress over a sustained period of time.

Intelligence Gathering

4.10 We were satisfied that the establishment was allocating appropriate priority to maintaining security intelligence processes.

Summary

4.11 We were most encouraged to note the sustained improvement in good order in the prison, the benefits of which were being enjoyed equally by prisoners, staff and visitors. We were satisfied that local management was maintaining an appropriate focus on security matters and intelligence gathering in order to identify influential groupings of prisoners, particularly those involved in drug related activities and to take appropriate actions.