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12.1 During the course of the inspection we met with the Deputy Chairman and one member of the Visiting Committee (VC), which had a total of 12 members who were drawn mainly from the local area. The Committee was meeting on a regular basis (normally quarterly) whilst a rota had been devised which ensured that there were visits to the Institution on a weekly basis. These visits included regular inspections of the Halls, worksheds and health centre.
12.2 The main issues raised by the Committee representatives were as follows:-
12.2.1 The VC enjoyed good relationships with local management.
12.2.2 Relationships between staff and YOs/prisoners were considered to be good.
12.2.3 Catering standards were held to be excellent, whilst PE and the provision of education were said to be good. Psychological services were considered to have improved greatly.
12.2.4 It was felt that standards of cleanliness were high throughout the Institution and the VC was very positive about the refurbishment work - more especially as this would lead to the elimination of slopping out.
12.2.5 Relationships with the neighbouring community were said to be particularly good with some of the work being done by the Community Relations Officers coming in for particular praise. We were told that this was especially important as the Institution was situated in the middle of a housing estate. As a side issue, the VC representatives said that if at all possible, it would be good to have category 'D' YOs/prisoners working in the local community.
12.2.6 The prison's excellent suicide record was highlighted and the VC members referred to the fact that they themselves had received some suicide recognition training.
12.3 Concern was expressed that the local community was "awash" with drugs and therefore, more needed to be done for local remand and convicted prisoners. Nevertheless, the VC was pleased with the efforts to provide drug free areas within the Institution and the view was expressed that the size and compactness of the establishment was such that in the long term, it might be possible to establish an entirely drug free environment.
12.4 Other concerns included the lack of occupation for female prisoners and the fact that the garden party was rarely up to complement because of security issues. (The suggestion was made that female prisoners might be employed in the garden party.) It was felt also that there might be better selection of staff to work with adolescents, though the representatives did acknowledge that the present staff did well with a particularly volatile group.
12.5 Finally, the Committee members expressed concern about continuity of treatment when YOs were transferred to adult establishments.
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