Clean prison cells and well-trained staff could cut violence among the UK’s most dangerous inmates, a report to the British Psychological Society claims. Psychologist Dr Lorraine Johnstone found environmental factors hugely affected prisoners’ behaviour. She identified risk factors at a Scottish jail which should help all prison and secure hospital staff. They included staff experience, a prison’s history of violent attacks and the physical state of jail cells.

A proposed law aimed at protecting the vulnerable will frighten people from volunteering in the community, a cross-party group of MSPs said yesterday. The Vulnerable Groups Bill was meant to safeguard children following the Soham murders by introducing more checks on people who work with youngsters or vulnerable adults. However, the finance committee raised questions about whether the new legislation represented “value for money” and would contribute to a decline in volunteer numbers.

Young offenders are being helped back on the straight and narrow – by horses. The animals are sensitive enough to pick up the innermost feelings of those near them. Their reaction can have a life-changing effect. A recent course proved successful and plans are now under way to repeat the operation with another group of offenders. The horses are also helping children with learning difficulties.

The future of a women’s unit in a north-east prison was in doubt last night after it emerged that it may never be brought into use again. The wing at Craiginches Prison in Aberdeen was closed in spring 2005 for refurbishment and the inmates were temporarily transferred to Cornton Vale Prison near Stirling, Scotland’s only all female jail. It was understood that the unit would be reopened once the upgrade programme was completed but last night it was suggested that it may be used for other purposes.

Recommendations for delivering greater equality for disabled people were published today. The Disability Working Group’s report made 48 recommendations, providing the Executive, local authorities, employers, educators, community care providers and others with suggested approaches to change their actions and attitudes.

Two reports published today by the Social Work Inspection Agency (SWIA), comment on the performance of social work services in Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.

{mosimage}One main finding is the need for a clearer vision for services and for stronger leadership to deliver it.

The wider performance inspection report covers most aspects of the council’s social work services other than criminal justice services.

The report highlights service strengths, for example the delivery of effective residential and day care services and the positive involvement and contribution of local organisations in planning and delivering services.

However whilst they judged no aspect of service delivery to be ‘unsatisfactory’  inspectors found only one of the ten areas for evaluation they use to assess performance to be ‘good’, the remainder being either ‘adequate’ or ‘weak’.

Glasgow’s children’s services are set for a radical overhaul following a decision by Glasgow City Council’s Executive Committee. As part of a four-year-plan, a greater emphasis will be placed upon ensuring vulnerable young people remain within their own homes. The new direction will also see the current provision for children’s residential units either replaced or upgraded to reflect modern standards.

Scottish ministers have confirmed they aim to raise the legal age for buying cigarettes north of the border to 18. Smoking in enclosed public spaces has been banned in Scotland since March, in a move widely praised by health campaigners.

The maximum fees that the Care Commission can charge for regulating care services are to be frozen for the second year running. This means that the maximum fee levels set by Ministers in 2005 will continue to apply for 2007-08. Any shortfall in the Care Commission’s costs as a result of this decision will be met by the Executive.

Scotland’s nurses need better protection from violence and aggression, it has been warned. The Royal College of Nursing Scotland has launched a campaign to get MSPs and employers to tackle the problem.