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Cornton Vale Prison and YOI report
27/01/2010
Cornton Vale is not performing to a satisfactory standard and falls short in the provision of adequate conditions and treatment for prisoners and young offenders, according to a report by the Chief Inspector of Prisons published today.
The main findings of Brigadier Hugh Monro's report are:
- Cornton Vale is suffering from a lack of strategic attention, and the report recommends that female prisoners should have a focus at SPS Board level
- The basic necessities, including the standard of food, bedding, toilets and showers, in the older house blocks are not provided to an adequate standard
- The fabric of the estate looks and feels run down
- The health centre is not fit for purpose
- The visits room is too small and has few facilities
- The arrangements for prisoners who need to be held out of normal association are inadequate
- Prisoners do not have enough to do and spend too much time confined in their cells
- On occasion prisoners have to wait far too long to access a toilet, particularly at night
However, the report also points out that:
- The prison is very conscious of safety
- A number of good initiatives are in place to ensure that contact with families is maintained
- There are excellent links with community based organisations to help prisoners reintegrate back into the community
Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland Brigadier Monro said:
"Cornton Vale is in a state of crisis. The conditions in which most of the women live on a day-to-day basis are unacceptable. There is very little for them to do, they are constantly being moved around and the fabric of the whole estate has an unkempt and run down feel. I commend the efforts of prison staff to cope with this serious situation.
"An ever increasing prisoner population is one of the main reasons for this situation, but the establishment also seems to be 'drifting'. It lacks a sense of purpose from the highest levels. Scotland's national facility for female prisoners is suffering from a lack of strategic attention: this establishment needs stability in senior management. Female prisoners should have a focus at SPS Board level, with a view to setting the agenda for the future and ensuring such an agenda is implemented quickly and with purpose.
"Much good work is being carried out and I am clear that it is a safe prison. I have been impressed by the efforts to maintain contact with families. Addictions staff are dealing with a challenging situation effectively, and there are excellent links with community-based organisations to help prisoners re-integrate back into the community.
"However, much needs to be addressed in order to provide sufficiently good conditions for prisoners. The situation has deteriorated significantly since the last full inspection in 2006, and I will be monitoring closely how my recommendations are being addressed. I will inspect this prison again in a year or so as part of this process."
Today's report relates to a full inspection of Cornton Vale Prison and YOI, with a focus on the conditions in which prisoners live and on the way prisoners are treated.