This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Dumfries Prison report published
01/07/2004
Dumfries Prison has failed to meet a number of challenges posed by changes to the prisoner population, according to the latest report from the Chief Inspector of Prisons published today.
Since the last inspection all convicted male young offenders have been transferred from Dumfries to Polmont. Short-term adult prisoners from Barlinnie have taken up the places. The number of young offenders was only about 12 per cent of the population. Nevertheless, this change represents a significant shift in demands.
Dr Andrew McLellan's report on Dumfries Prison describes a follow up inspection in March 2004 and draws attention to:
• Rising prisoner numbers
• More prisoners with drug addiction issues
• One escape
• Increased levels of violence
• And very heavy demands on staff resulting from the escort duties which accompanied the new prisoners from Barlinnie.
Howver, the report also notes:
• The number of prisoners completing pre-release programmes is very much improved.
Dr McLellan said:
"The change in the prisoner population, combined with a number of other factors, has created a number of challenges for Dumfries: not all of which the prison has been able to meet.
"An unprecedented amount of escort duties, high levels of staff sickness, more prisoners with addictions issues, and an ever increasing number of prisoners have created these challenges.
"Little progress has been made with regard to addictions work or healthcare. The availability of work places has decreased and little progress had been made in relation to meal-times at weekends. There has been one escape and a number of serious incidents of violence since the last inspection.
"On a more positive side, relationships between staff and prisoners were good, dental arrangements had improved and arrangements for assessment of prisoner needs and pre release programmes were good.
"A full inspection of Dumfries will take place in December 2004. A number of issues highlighted in this current report will be examined in more detail then."
Scotland's prisons are subject to regular inspection. A full inspection normally takes place every three years and examines all aspects of the establishment.
Follow up inspections are carried out in years where a full inspection does not take place and these examine points of note raised in previous inspections, examine significant changes since then, and explore issues arising from the establishment's own assessment of itself.
The inspection of Dumfries was a follow up inspection with a focus on conditions in which prisoners live and on the way prisoners are treated.
Copies of Reports will be available on the Inspectorate's website: www.scotland.gov.uk/hmip.