4. RESPECT
Outcomes
Prisoners are treated with respect by prison staff.
4.1 Relationships between staff and prisoners are very good.
Prisoners are treated with respect for their dignity while being escorted to and from prison, in prison and while under escort in any location.
4.2 Prisoners are well treated by escort staff. The conditions in Dumbarton Sheriff Court are very good. The conditions in Greenock Sheriff Court are good. The conditions in Oban Sheriff Court are dreadful.
Relationships
4.3 Relationships between staff and prisoners are good. First name terms are generally used with the exception of Ailsa Hall, where officers were regularly heard to shout out the prisoner's surname.
Oban Sheriff Court
4.4 On the day of inspection three prisoners from Greenock were in attendance. Their journey started at approximately 06.30hrs and they arrived at the court at 09.10hrs. The escort vehicle was parked in an unsecured small yard between the court and police station buildings.
4.5 Following a lengthy and uncomfortable journey the prisoners were required to wait in the escort vehicle as there are no holding cells in the court and the police do not allow use of the cells in the police station despite them being designated "Legalised Cells" 1. In addition to the three prisoners from Greenock the escort staff had to take on to the vehicle two custodies, one male and one female, from the police cells. Four males and one female were being held in a six cell vehicle.
4.6 When prisoners require the toilet they have to be escorted into the police station. The toilet is located in a small holding cell. There is a door on the cell but no door on the toilet, which is used for both male and female prisoners. Prisoners can only be escorted to the toilet when there are enough staff available and they are not on duty in the court. On the day of inspection the toilet had not been cleaned and a sanitary towel was lying on the toilet floor. This is unacceptable.
4.7 If a legal representative wishes to speak to a prisoner this might happen in a small room in the police station, or in the jury room in the court. However, it will often happen in the vehicle, depending on demand and staff availability. When the interview happens in the vehicle, staff and other prisoners are able to hear a conversation which should take place in private.
4.8 It is not unusual for a prisoner to leave Greenock Prison at 06.30hrs and still be in the vehicle at the court at 15.00hrs. There is no way of controlling the temperature and meals have to be eaten in the small cubicle in the vehicle. It is recommended that the conditions for holding prisoners at Oban Sheriff Court are improved immediately.
Dumbarton Sheriff Court
4.9 There are six cells in Dumbarton Sheriff Court which allow for the separation of different groups of prisoners. Toilets are outwith the cells and are clean. There are adequate facilities for legal interviews. The area was clean and prisoners reported being well cared for by escort staff.
Greenock Sheriff Court
4.10 The seven holding cells allow for effective prisoner separation. There was some graffiti in the cells but the area was generally clean. A male and a female toilet are located in the area. The toilets have no hand drying facilities. There are four interview rooms for legal visits.
Equality and Diversity
4.11 At the time of the inspection there were eight Black and Ethnic Minority ( BEM) prisoners being held in the prison. Two of these were unable to speak English. On reception to the prison the telephone interpreting service is used to assist in the completion of the admission procedures and risk assessments.
4.12 A Unit Manager or Equality and Diversity Officer will meet with the prisoner within 24 hours. Advice is given on what will be made available to meet specific religious, cultural and dietary needs. A range of information regarding the individual is recorded and reviewed on a monthly basis. The monitoring form records whether or not a Consular Official has been requested
4.13 Prison management are proactive in quickly moving on prisoners whose sentences expire but who have an IS91 warrant which allows them to be detained pending the completion of detention procedures. At the time of inspection no prisoners were held on IS91 warrants 2.
4.14 Interpreters are used regularly to assist with case conferences. Staff also have access to a website which will interpret day-to-day phrases to allow basic routines to continue and needs to be met.
4.15 The national induction programme is available in eight main languages but this is only useful if the individual is able to read. Consideration should be given to making audio or video induction interpretation available. Prison management liaises with the library at Barlinnie Prison to borrow books and magazines in foreign languages.
4.16 At the time of the inspection six prisoners were registered as disabled. None had a disability which seriously impeded their mobility. There is disabled access cell in each hall. The cell in Ailsa has a built in shower, the other two have disabled access showers in adjacent ablutions areas.
4.17 There is a loop system in the reception and visits areas to assist the hearing impaired. Impact assessments have been carried out on a range of prison policies. Chrisswell House has a peer support system to assist disabled prisoners evacuate in an emergency.
4.18 There is an appropriate focus on Equality and Diversity issues and procedures within the prison.
Searching
4.19 All prisoners are given a rub-down search by an officer of the same gender prior to moving locations. New prisoners admitted to reception are subject to a strip search. Strip searches are carried out randomly following a visit and target searches are intelligence led.
4.20 All searches observed were conducted thoroughly, and with good communication between staff and prisoners. Strip searches are conducted in a manner which maintains dignity.