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Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland: Report for 1999-2000

5. Conclusions

5.1 Last year we had concluded our report by saying how gratifying it was that many of the SPS's Victorian era buildings were scheduled for refurbishment. One year on, this refurbishment programme, which is mainly linked to the installation of integral sanitation, has been delayed following the loss of £13m of accumulated savings, which has also prompted a review of the prisons estate.

5.2 This, together with the earlier announcement of prison closures following the transfer of accumulated savings, would seem to indicate the most radical reshaping of Scottish prisons in living memory. An atmosphere of considerable uncertainty now exists amongst staff and prisoners across the entire prison estate.

5.3 Few, however, will mourn the closure of HM Remand Institution Longriggend. It was isolated, suffered from grubby and run down buildings and had a high suicide rate. The transfer of its occupants to better conditions at HMP Barlinnie was long overdue. Equally, its closure will mean the loss of relatively exclusive accommodation for persons awaiting deportation, who have since been transferred back to HMP Greenock. As we have said before, these individuals should not be held in prison.

5.4 The closure of HMP Penninghame, which had a proven record of providing testing open conditions and opportunities for long term prisoners, is arguably more controversial, though we hope that its ethos will continue at the two remaining open prisons (Noranside and Castle Huntly). Some efficiency savings have been created by the absorption of HMP Friarton, the Shotts Unit and the National Induction Centre, though how this will affect outcomes in the longer term is hard to predict. In addition, it will cost over £2 million to refurbish Friarton for its new role.

5.5 The decision to close HMP Dungavel is more finely balanced, given that the establishment was well on the way to becoming Scotland's first drug free prison. However, we hope that the concept and lessons learned from its operation as a drug free prison can be transferred to other top end facilities (though the loss of its 135 places could yet prove to be one step too far).

5.6 In parallel to these dramatic reductions to the prison estate, the number of those being held in custody has been much lower than forecast, which has been extremely fortuitous. There are, however, more worrying trends below the surface, as the number of lifers and prisoners receiving longer sentences continues to increase. This would seem to indicate that more prison places will be required in the longer term, though it is also possible that unpredictable factors, such as the impact of the European Convention on Human Rights, may affect the number of people being imprisoned. The concern in the medium term is how a much reduced prison estate will cope if there is a significant increase in the prison population.

5.7 Evidence of further progress can be found in most of the general assessments _ see pages 7-42. In particular, improved conditions for remand prisoners at HMPs Edinburgh, Inverness and Kilmarnock are to be welcomed. Refurbished remand accommodation will also shortly be available at HMP & YOI Cornton Vale and HMP Perth. In our opinion, this leaves HMP Barlinnie as the priority area for improvement. In addition, there is a need for clearer accountability for remand prisoners at SPS Headquarters.

5.8 The number of women in custody continues to be of concern, more particularly those on remand, notwithstanding Scottish Ministers' support for the intention to halve the female prison population by the end of this year. Similarly, a recommendation to end the imprisonment of women who are aged under 18 has not yet been met.

5.9 This year's results from mandatory drug testing are again encouraging, showing a further reduction in the number of positive tests for cannabis. Resources for tackling drug misuse have increased at a number of establishments, though we believe that much more still needs to be deployed towards young offenders and short term prisoners. In addition, we are pleased to recognise benefits resulting from the appointment of the drug strategy co-ordinator in SPS HQ, including a revised policy on tackling drug misuse in establishments. Whilst we recognise that prison presents an opportunity to tackle drug misuse, we favour the development of complementary strategies in the community. These include the pilot schemes on Drug Treatment and Testing Orders and the concept of drug courts, which are now firmly established in America and are being piloted in England. The overall aim must be to reduce the incidence of offending which is linked to drug misuse.

5.10 Any suicide in custody is a tragedy for relatives, friends, prison staff and prisoners. Despite the major change made in the SPS's anti-suicide strategy, the number of deaths is still on the increase and we suspect that this alarming rate is unlikely to subside until its origins in the community are more comprehensively addressed.

5.11 The incidence of serious prisoner on prisoner violence, much of it drug debt related, has reduced by about a quarter. This is encouraging and whilst the reasons for this reduction are hard to determine, we have said that a reduction in prison numbers and overcrowding was always likely to help. Whatever the cause, it is pleasing to see that violence has reduced at HMP Low Moss, which previously had the unenviable reputation of being Scotland's most violent prison.

5.12 Overall, the SPS's excellent record of providing secure custody has been maintained and the Service continues to try and protect the public from serious criminals by tackling, in a rational way, some of the factors that lead to criminal behaviour. We are also encouraged by the promising start that has been made by Scotland's first privately managed prison at Kilmarnock, where a large number of examples of good practice were encountered. We were similarly pleased with
the standards of safety and decency that were found there, with Premier Prison Service staff enthusiastic and hard working. However, they may not yet have the experience or confidence to challenge prisoners at every appropriate opportunity.

5.13 As this report goes to print, further changes are being considered for the prison estate. We therefore repeat last year's concluding remarks that there is a paramount need for an integrated approach to the management of young offenders. Their needs and offending behaviour must be rigorously assessed and challenged at an early stage, if they are not to become the adult prisoners of the future. It is here that the depressing and expensive cycle of re-offending must be slowed down or halted.

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