This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Polmont Young Offenders Institution
05/08/2004
Polmont is now the national centre for young offenders and has coped well with a 50 per cent increase in its population, according to the latest report from the Chief Inspector of Prisons published today.
However, Dr Andrew McLellan's report also describes the challenges posed by the wide range of prisoners, with varying needs and problems, who are housed in very different standards of accommodation.
The report, which follows a full inspection in March 2004, and highlights
that:
* The prison population has increased by 50 per cent. This is not the result of increasing numbers of young offenders but is due to young offenders from Dumfries and Glenochil, and under-21 remand prisoners from Barlinnie being moved there.
* The accommodation in Iona Hall is excellent but conditions in two of the halls - where slopping out still takes place - is very bad.
* Last year, 15 children under the age of 16 were detained in Polmont.
* Many young adults spend a great deal of time locked up in cells.
* The prison's youth centre makes a good contribution to developing young adults' personal and life skills.
* There are a number of good initiatives in place to ensure that family contact is maintained.
Dr McLellan said:
"The range of needs and problems of young adults in Polmont is great. It holds convicted and unconvicted prisoners, including sex offenders, with convicted prisoners serving sentences ranging from a few days to life. The prisoners also show differing levels of maturity, with Polmont sometimes housing children under 16.
"Conditions in Argyll and Spey Halls - where slopping out still takes place
- are very bad. Prisoners under 21 - many of whom are on remand - have no access to toilets during the night and often during the day, when they can be locked up for considerable periods. However Iona Hall, which opened in 2003, provides excellent accommodation. The cells are large, bright and airy, and have a separate toilet. Even after a year, the hall remains really clean and where the accommodation is good, prisoners' attitudes are much more positive.
"There are two cultures in Polmont. It is a place where young offenders are called 'young adults' and where their adolescence is recognised. Some staff wear the traditional uniform while others wear informal sweat shirt uniforms. While relationships with staff are generally good, it is a place where, in front of the inspectors, some staff shouted and swore at young adults and called them by their last names.
"For years Polmont has struggled to find enough worthwhile activity for prisoners and the rise in its population last year, due to transfers from other prisons, has not helped. Many young adults spend a great deal of time locked up in their cells and Polmont must not allow this to become the normal way of life. Children under 16 are among affected by this. It is not possible for Polmont to provide anything like suitable circumstances, conditions and activity for them. Children are only held in prison when there is no other place available for them, but that does not make it right.
"Almost every source agreed about one matter. There is not enough food for young men."
"A number of very good initiatives are in place in Polmont. There is a "care orderly room" which avoids the need for disciplinary action following a first drugs failure, good pre-release arrangements are in place and a family awareness induction evening helps alleviate their fears and encourages them to adopt a supportive and active role in the care of the young adults. Therapeutic focus groups in the health centre offer high level support to change an individual's lifestyle and there is a dedicated mental health team. Excellent work is also being carried out by the youth centre, especially on personal and social education."
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 Polmont was a full 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.