HMIP Report on HM Unit

Shotts 1998

8. PRISONERS

Prisoners Perceptions

8.1 During the course of our inspection, as well as speaking informally with all prisoners, we met formally with two groups. We have recorded their views as they were put to us but that should not be taken to imply that we are in full agreement with every point raised.

8.2 Relationships with staff were considered to be good and prisoners spoke of being able to see beyond the uniform. The staffing ratio was significantly higher and initially this had made some individuals nervous. It was also recognised that the change in environment and atmosphere was often very difficult to come to terms with, especially for those prisoners transferred from segregation units.

8.3 The atmosphere in the Unit was described as relaxed and prisoners spoke of no longer having to live up (or down) to a reputation which had been gained in the mainstream. They did say, however, that the Unit carried its own stigma and presented a number of difficulties for indiviuals when they moved on from the Unit.

8.4 It was considered that the main advantage of the Unit was its environment, which both required and encouraged individuals to consider different ways of dealing with their sentences and to assume personal responsibility. For example, it was no longer possible to continue in a cycle of confrontation, subversion, violence, withdrawal or drug abuse, which had indicated a reluctance or inability to cope with very long sentences. The prisoners to whom we spoke were adamant that the pressures in the mainstream had made such changes impossible.

8.5 Most prisoners said that they did not consider that staff were sufficiently skilled in helping them to deal with the kind of issues which had resulted in their transfer to the Unit. They were also dismissive of the notion of group work in such a setting. Problems were perceived to be specific to the individual and could only be effectively tackled individually even if there were problems common to a number of prisoners, such as drug misuse.

8.6 Many gave differing views on the purpose of the Unit; some spoke of addressing criminal behaviour, others spoke of preparing for the mainstream. There were also mixed opinions on the purpose and value of activities and the involvement in projects.

8.7 The prisoners took the view that returning to the mainstream in a long term prison was a backward step and would simply undo the good work which had been undertaken in the Unit. Most said they would prefer to move on from the Unit to a national top end facility.

Comment

8.8 It is encouraging to note that prisoners recognised that it was both necessary and possible to change their behaviour in the Unit and that failure to comply with the norms of the Unit would result in being returned to the mainstream. The criticism of skills levels of some staff perhaps reflected the change in relationships in the Unit following the shutdown. It had been recognised that staff would also be required to set and maintain standards more akin to those of the mainstream than had perhaps been the case before the temporary closure (see also paragraph 7.11). The ambiguity about the purpose of the Unit reflects the need for a more rigorous adherence to operating principles, particularly regarding selection and needs assessment.

Former Unit Prisoners

8.9 We also spoke to a number of individuals who had been in the Unit prior to the temporary closure in 1996 and who were now apparently managing in mainstream prisons (which in itself indicated relative success of being in the Unit). They had all spent lengthy periods out of circulation prior to being sent to the Unit and spoke of the real difficulty in adjusting to such a markedly different environment. They had welcomed the opportunity to settle in and become acclimatised but were critical of inconsistencies in the way rules were applied. They also spoke of their frustration at the lack of structure and targets which they felt would have been helpful in providing direction, not only in terms of relatively short term project work but also in addressing underlying and unresolved personal needs.

8.10 They were somewhat dismissive of the concept of the community meetings which were held to resolve difficulties, stating that individuals usually came to an understanding without any such recourse. They were, however, acutely aware and grateful of the opportunity afforded by the Unit to re-establish family contact.