Rationalisation of the Estate

2.1 Following a review of the SPS Estate, a number of establishments were considered to be no longer necessary in the immediate and medium term and could be closed without major disruption to the remainder. The management of a number of other prisons could also be combined to produce savings. These decisions are listed below:

• HMP Friarton to become a satellite Hall of HMP Perth in December 1999 and assume the role formerly undertaken by HMP Dungavel on 3 July 2000.
• The NIC and Shotts Unit to come under direct control of the Governor HMP Shotts - end March 2000.
• HM Unit Peterhead to be 'mothballed' - January 2000.
• HMP Penninghame to be closed - 6 March 2000.
• HM Remand Institution Longriggend to be closed - 8 April 2000.
• HMP Dungavel to be closed - 3 July 2000.

2.2 The SPS are conducting a fundamental review of their estate to identify likely pressures and needs over the long term and to generate options for meeting these. This process involves detailed consideration of the role and conditions of each SPS establishment. The SPS Board aimed to reach its conclusions in May 2000 (though these were not available at the time of signature of this report).

Building and Maintenance Programme

2.3 A total of £28 million was spent on the maintenance and upgrading of prison buildings last year. Among the major capital projects completed were:

• At HMP Aberdeen, the installation of a new officer alarm system, which was completed in March 2000.
• At HMP Barlinnie, a new perimeter alarm system, which was completed in March 2000.
• At HMP Dumfries, the upgrade of 'A' Hall and the central core, which was completed in May 1999.
• At HMP Glenochil, replacement of copper pipework in 'A' Hall, which was completed in March 2000.
• At HMYOI Polmont, installation of new security fencing, which was completed in March 2000.

2.4 For 2000-01, the budget for capital works has been allocated as follows:

£m

• Residential Investment & Regimes

• Security & Order

• Health & Safety

• Staff Facilities

• Minor Works

14

3

3.5

2

1

£23.5m

Population

2.5 The throughput of prisoners in 1999-2000 was as shown below (figures for last year in brackets):

Sentenced Receptions

19,293

(18,680)

Remand Receptions

14,629

(15,385)

2.6 The average daily population was 5,974 (6,029) which included 975 (971) remand prisoners, who account for approximately 16% of those held in custody in Scotland.

2.7 Further details at the end of March 2000 were as shown below:

(i) Sentences being served:

• Less than 1 year

1,165

(1,436)

• 1 year - less than 2 years

544

(540)

• 2 years - less than 4 years

786

(742)

• 4 years - less than 10 years

1,628

(1,627)

• 10 years +

314

(295)

• Life

601

(579)

(ii) Security categories:

• 'A' (maximum security)

4

(4)

• 'B' (secure conditions)

2,768*

(2,727)*

• 'C' (minimum of restrictions)

1,784

(1,929)

• 'D' (open conditions)

486

(559)
(incl. limited 'D')

Persons Awaiting Deportation (PAD)**

26

(31)

* Does not include remands
** Formerly held at HM Remand Institution Longriggend but now detained in HMP Greenock.

Deaths in Custody

2.8 During 1999-2000 there were 26 (20) deaths in prison which included 17 (14) apparent suicides.