Women’s prison ‘unacceptably poor’

By Liz Lockhart

The only all-female prison in Scotland is ‘unacceptably poor’ according to inspectors. This report comes just over a year since a previous scathing inspection.

Cornton Vale near Stirling remains below standard in almost all key areas with no firm plans in place to correct the failings.

Brigadier Hugh Monro, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons in Scotland, expressed concerns over the treatment of female prisoners with mental health issues. He also found that overcrowding is a major concern as the prison continues to operate over its design capacity.

‘Despite the warning raised in my full inspection report in late 2009, Corton Vale remains an unacceptably poor establishment with significant failings across all key areas of provision’ Brigadier Monro said.

The treatment of prisoners is not acceptable as are the conditions in which they live according to Monro. He also found that the limited access to activity creates an atmosphere of boredom which prevents positive rehabilitation.

Brigadier Monro added ‘Overcrowding is the root cause of many of the issues I have highlighted. I believe there is an immediate need to both reduce the prison’s population and review the design capacity of the establishment.’

‘Insufficient progress has been made to improve both physical conditions and the quality of the regime. The dignity, safety, infection control and health issues are even more stark than in 2009. I also noted that relationships between prisoners and staff had further deteriorated with an unacceptable culture and a lack of trust’ Monro said.

The design capacity of Cornton Vale is 375 with a current population of 385. Brigadier Monro felt that only if the inmate population was reduced to 300 would the prison’s present resources be able to cater for it.

‘The mental health issues affecting significant numbers of female prisoners held in Cornton Vale continue to be a source of concern. Given that the numbers and complexity of these issues are amongst the most serious in any prison in Scotland there is an urgent need to improve staff training and access to therapeutic activity’ he added.

‘I am very disappointed by the lack of progress made at Cornton Vale. I believe the establishment and the broader issues of how female prisoners are treated must now be seen as strategic priorities for both the Scottish Prison Services (SPS) and the Scottish Government’.

The management suite segregation area of the prison was incorrectly used to deal with many of those with mental health issues the inspection found. It was described as ‘utterly depressing’ and an ‘unsuitable environment in which to hold very vulnerable girls and women’ by Brigadier Monro.

A new commission has been set up by the Scottish Government in response to the report. It is to examine the issue of how women offenders are dealt with in the criminal justice with an aim of reducing re-offending.

Dame Elish Angiolini, former Lord Advocate will chair the commission with Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill.

‘Many of the problems have been compounded by overcrowding but there are wider issues at play such as alcohol and drug abuse and mental health problems and it is vital that we get rehabilitation right.’ said Mr MacAskill.

Dame Angiolini added ‘Although some women are violent and need to be in prison to protect communities and themselves, many are deeply vulnerable people for whom offending is a result of chaotic lifestyles, mental health difficulties and severe addiction problems. Many will have been the victims of abuse – physical, sexual or mental- in their childhood’.

Last Monday it was announced by the SPS that it would try to combat the overcrowding issue by moving 116 prisoners from Cornton Vale to Ratho Hall at HMP Edinburgh beginning in July. One of the many issues is to reduce the number of women in custody in Scotland and the announcement by the Scottish Government about plans for a new commission to examine the issue of female offenders is a very welcome development.

Another new commission – while the mentally ill inmates of Cornton Vale remain in similar conditions to those that were endured prior to the last two inspections.

Just one word from me ‘shameful’.