Prisons inspector brands Cornton Vale ‘shocking’ and ‘bleak’

Scotland’s female prison is “in crisis” with most inmates living in unacceptable conditions, according to the first report from HM Chief Inspector of Prisons.

Brigadier Hugh Monro yesterday described some of the conditions as “bleak” and “shocking” and called for immediate changes in both living quarters and the way inmates on remand are forced to travel for up to eight hours a day to attend courts in the Highlands and Islands.

He said overcrowding in Cornton Vale is having a negative impact on both staff and inmates and that the prison does not provide even the basic necessities for all inmates.

His report said: “Cornton Vale is in a state of crisis and an ever-increasing prisoner population is one of the main causes.”

During the inspection last September 399 prisoners were being held in Cornton Vale, despite a capacity of 375.

The report praises staff for their efforts with the “serious situation” in the jail but makes 75 recommendations.

It calls for changes to the practice of prisoners being taken on lengthy journeys to appear in far-flung courts and suggested they should be held in local prisons or prison cells for their trials or that video-conferencing should be used.

Speaking to The Herald, he said: “I would also like to think they would consider facilities for women in Aberdeen and Inverness to address the considerable distances they have to travel.

“I would applaud efforts to have several facilities for women, but I do see the strong need for a national facility because of the complexity of their needs.”

Teresa Medhurst, governor of Cornton Vale, said: “I welcome the fact the chief inspector recognises the care the staff give and the fact the women feel safe. I would refute the fact this is a prison in crisis because, if it was, they would not feel safe.”

She said overcrowding is an issue and revealed that the numbers on long sentences increased from 60 to 90 last year.

“There are women here for whom community sentences would be a better option,” she said.

The prison is praised for its safety record, family contacts and links with community-based organisations to help reintegrate prisoners into society.

The report said the recent appointment of the third governor at the jail in 14 months is evidence of a sense of “drifting” at Cornton Vale.

The report continued: “Cornton Vale is not performing to a satisfactory standard and falls short in the provision of adequate conditions and treatment for prisoners. The conditions in which most of the women live are unacceptable.”

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: “There are quite simply more women in Cornton Vale than there should be.

“It is a trend that has continued to the extent that there are almost twice as many women in prison today than there were 10 years ago, despite recorded crime being at a near 30-year low.”

Labour justice spokesman Richard Baker said the report highlights the Government’s “failure” to deal with overcrowding.

“The situation at Cornton Vale has deteriorated since the last inspection and the Cabinet Secretary must do more than just wring his hands,” he said.

Bill Aitken, the Tory justice spokesman, said: “Kenny MacAskill’s constant harping on about overcrowded jails is a counsel of despair. If there is insufficient prison capacity it is down to him to provide it.”

Guards injured in jail riot

Two prison officers were hospitalised after being injured in a riot at a private jail, it emerged yesterday.

Emergency services were called to HMP Addiewell in West Lothian when trouble flared on Monday night.

The Scottish Ambulance Service said a 29-year-old man was taken to St John’s Hospital in Livingston with head and facial injuries at around 7.50pm.

The jail’s managers would not disclose whether the other injured officer was male or female but said both have been discharged from hospital.

Lothian and Borders police said up to 10 prisoners were “actively” involved in the riot.

Private company Kalyx, which manages HMP Addiewell for the Scottish Prison Service, said: “There has been minor damage caused, mainly as a result of burst pipes. Two prison officers were injured and were treated.”