Setback In Prisoner Safety Scheme

Plans to introduce a new scheme to ensure the safety of north-east prisoners being held in custody have suffered a major setback after a key member of staff suddenly quit her job.

Elaine Lawson has stood down from her post as independent custody visiting scheme co-ordinator for private, family reasons.

Grampian Police, which signed up to the nationwide scheme in May last year, is the only force in the UK that does not have an independent body inspecting cells.

The joint police board wants to recruit 16 people to make 12 inspection visits to police stations to assess the cleanliness and safety of accommodation. So far only eight people have been hired.

Karen Donnelly, depute clerk of Grampian Joint Police Board, said the news was a blow because the scheme was at a “critical stage”.

Board convener Gurudeo Saluja said: “We are the only board left in the whole of the UK who do not have this scheme – we will have to re-double our efforts.”

Vice-convener Martin Greig said: “This has been a rocky road for us and I am disappointed we have lost the co-ordinator. It is important we get an independent custody scheme up and running and we need to encourage people to come to our assistance.”

Ms Donnelly told board members she had tried to persuade Ms Lawson to stay but to no avail.

“It is very disappointing as she has done a great amount of work and we are at a critical stage,” she added.

“We have eight people who have gone through the Disclosure Scotland checks and I would like the board to approve the replacement of Elaine as soon as possible.”

Ms Donnelly said Ms Lawson had agreed to “keep things going” until a new co-ordinator is hired.

Grampian Police Chief Constable Colin McKerracher said he was very much in favour of the scheme being introduced because it was beneficial to both prisoners and the force.

The scheme will be introduced at Queen Street and Bucksburn police stations in Aberdeen before it is extended across the Grampian force area.

Last October officers were forced to apologise to a man who found a hypodermic needle in his cell at Elgin police station.