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

Annex 1

SPS STAFF AND MANAGEMENT

Organisation

*These Figures include Off-Line/Supernumerary Posts but exclude Part-Time Chaplains and Medical Officers.

Rationalisation of the Prisons Estate

The single issue that has had the most significant impact on the SPS and its staff was the announcement that £13M of accumulated savings were to be redeployed to other priorities. As a consequence, a rationalisation of the estate by scaling down the capacity and staffing levels of the SPS was announced on 21 October 1999. The initial outcomes of this review were announced on 16 November 1999. Three establishments were to be closed - Penninghame, Dungavel and Longriggend, while the Peterhead Unit was to be "mothballed". Three prisons were to be merged - Friarton with HMP Perth and the NIC and Shotts Unit with HMP Shotts. In addition, a number of "spend to save" measures at Polmont, Glenochil YOI and Cornton Vale were expected to result in further reductions in staffing levels. It was expected that these measures, combined with normal staff turnover as a result of retirements and resignations, would see a reduction of some 400 staff over two years. There would also be a reduction in capacity of 416 prisoner places.

A project team was established to manage the prison closures and redeployment of staff and prisoners, which was handled in a sympathetic and efficient manner.

Subsequently, the SPS has carried out a further review of the existing prisons estate against future requirements - as far as they can be determined. This has fuelled continuing speculation and uncertainty among staff while final decisions are awaited.

Management

In September 1999, Tony Cameron was appointed as Chief Executive in succession to Eddie Frizzell,who had been in charge of the SPS since 1991.

The closures and mergers referred to earlier brought about a numerical imbalance of establishments between the two geographical areas - seven establishments in the South & West area compared to 10 in the North & East - though this has been addressed by reallocating HMYOI Polmont to South and West. It would, however, also appear to be an opportune time to consider how SPS Headquarters might be restructured to reflect these recent and far reaching changes, perhaps by appointing separate Managers for Remands, Young Offenders, Long Term Prisoners etc.

At an establishment level, we remain firmly of the view that the development of sound, professional relationships between Governors and their Deputies is fundamental to the successful operation and development of every prison and is an issue of strategic importance.

Staff

(i) Training and Personal Development

During the course of this year's inspections and especially at Young Offenders Institutions, we observed a growing need for the careful selection and training of staff to complement the specific needs of these and other different types of prisoner. We welcome, therefore, the early steps that are now being taken to embark on a programme of training and development specifically geared to those working with young offenders as well as remand and mentally disordered prisoners. The development of SVQs for residential staff also represents an additional step forward and we acknowledge the key role played by the SPS in the Custodial Care National Training Organisation.

(ii) Staff Sickness

The average number of days lost through sickness last year was 16 (16) for each of the 4,896 (4,974) SPS members.

(iii) SPS TUS

The impact of the rationalisation of the SPS estate on Industrial Relations and staff morale was described as a severe blow by the Trade Union Side, who expressed concern about what they considered to be a lack of proper consultation. However, progress has been made on a number of issues, including standards of behaviour, occupational health, stress management and equal opportunities, although Local Whitley Councils have still not been re-established.

Annex 2

MANDATORY DRUG TESTING RESULTS - 1999-2000

Mandatory drug testing was introduced on a phased basis from February 1996. The figures shown below are the headline rates, which include all tests taken and found to be positive due to drug misuse and the underlying rates, which exclude those positive test results that may have been due to drug misuse in the community.

* HMYOI Dumfries figures for 1998-99 also include local, remand and female prisoners. For 1999-2000, disaggregated figures are now available.

Random Drug Test Results 1996-2000

*The phasing of the introduction of MDT from February 1996 meant that not all establishments were testing for all of 1996-97.

Future Policy

We welcome the publication of revised guidance on the management of drug misuse in Scotland's prisons, especially the appointment of local drug strategy co-ordinators. It is encouraging to note the SPS's recognition that the development of partnerships is more likely to be effective than tackling the range of problems in isolation. In particular, we endorse the policy of involving families more closely and the further development of throughcare links with the wider community.

Annex 3

SUICIDE

Statistics

Statistics in recent years for self inflicted deaths in SPS custody are as follows:

Comparative statistics since 1986 by establishment are shown below:

(® = Remand © = Convicted)

Annex 4

VIOLENCE

Introduction

1. In recent years, we have commented on the increase in individual violence, as serious assaults by prisoners on other prisoners doubled from 50 to 108 in 1995-96 and then further increased to 127 in 1996-97. In 1997-98 there was a welcome reduction to 108 but in 1998-99, a record number of 129 assaults was recorded.

2. In 1999-2000, the number of prisoner on prisoner serious assaults fell to 91, while the number of serious assaults by prisoners on staff fell to 13.

3. Detailed statistics are shown below:-

Comment

Whilst this overall reduction in serious violence is most welcome, analysis of the figures shows a worrying increase at HMP Shotts from 4 to 12 serious assaults by prisoners against other prisoners. Surprisingly, there has been a marked increase at Inverness, while the largest number of serious assaults by prisoners on other prisoners took place at Glenochil.

We are pleased to note the reduction in prisoner on prisoner violence at Low Moss, Barlinnie and Edinburgh. It is noteworthy that the number of incidents of serious prisoner on prisoner violence at Dumfries and Polmont is half of last year's total. Equally, it is disappointing to note that there were four members of staff seriously injured by young offenders in those establishments compared to none the previous year. The number of staff at Kilmarnock who have been seriously assaulted is also high when compared to similar prisons.

Annex 5

OVERCROWDING

Background

1. Most local prisons have been overcrowded for a number of years, a situation that was due to an increase in the number of those being imprisoned or more recently, as sentences handed down by the courts began to lengthen. Recent statistics are as follows:

• In 1994-95 the average daily population was 5,630, against a capacity of 5,156.
• In 1995-96 the average daily population rose to 5,632, against a similar capacity.
• In 1996-97 the average daily population was 5,992, against a capacity of 5,291 but on 20 March 1997, the population stood at a record level of 6,366.
• In 1997-98 the average daily population was 6,059, though available capacity had also increased by a further 200 (largely due to refurbished accommodation becoming available). The peak figure for that year was 6,334, which occurred on 25 March 1998.
• In 1998-99 the average daily population was 6,029, with the March peak being 6,311. In parallel, there was a record increase in capacity, which was largely due to the opening of HMP Kilmarnock. As the financial year ended, the SPS prison capacity exceeded population for the first time in many years - 6,496 against a population of 6,268.
• In 1999-2000 the average daily population was 5,974 and during the peak period in late March 2000, stood at 6,069 against a capacity of 6,139.

Overcrowded Prisons

2. Those establishments which have been overpopulated in excess of 10% are shown below (previous year shown in brackets).

The Immediate Future

• As at 31 March 2000 and with a relatively stable prison population, there was spare capacity in the order of 175 places (6,139 places against 5,964 prisoners).
• Nevertheless, 176 places were lost when HM Remand Institution Longriggend closed on 6 April 2000.
• A further 126 places will be lost on 3 July 2000 when HMP Dungavel closes.
• At the time of signature of this report, the prison population had risen to 6,011.

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