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'Major improvement' in open jails 'Major improvement' in open jails
(about 20 hours later)
The case of an on-the-run prisoner who raped a schoolgirl has led to improvements in Scotland's open jails, the chief prisons inspector has said.The case of an on-the-run prisoner who raped a schoolgirl has led to improvements in Scotland's open jails, the chief prisons inspector has said.
Robert Foye attacked the 16-year-old in August 2007 after absconding from Castle Huntly open prison near Dundee, raising questions about public safety.Robert Foye attacked the 16-year-old in August 2007 after absconding from Castle Huntly open prison near Dundee, raising questions about public safety.
Inspector Dr Andrew McLellan said procedures had now been tightened.Inspector Dr Andrew McLellan said procedures had now been tightened.
But his inspection of Castle Huntly, and Scotland's second open prison, Noranside, raised several concerns.But his inspection of Castle Huntly, and Scotland's second open prison, Noranside, raised several concerns.
Delivering his report on the two prisons, following an inspection in September last year, Dr McLellan said they were failing to offer proper programmes to tackle prisoners' offending behaviour.Delivering his report on the two prisons, following an inspection in September last year, Dr McLellan said they were failing to offer proper programmes to tackle prisoners' offending behaviour.
Significant change has taken place this year in the open estate Andrew McLellanChief prisons inspector for Scotland The chief prisons inspector said there had been "significant improvements"
And he said there was "almost no preparation" for inmates in closed prisons for a move to open conditions.And he said there was "almost no preparation" for inmates in closed prisons for a move to open conditions.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said he was reassured by the report, adding open prisons were vital in helping offenders back into communities at the end of their sentences.Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said he was reassured by the report, adding open prisons were vital in helping offenders back into communities at the end of their sentences.
Dr McLellan said no Scottish prison had been the subject of more public concern in the past year than the open estate.Dr McLellan said no Scottish prison had been the subject of more public concern in the past year than the open estate.
He cited public concerns of a lax regime and that open prisons were "too easy to get into and too easy to get out of".He cited public concerns of a lax regime and that open prisons were "too easy to get into and too easy to get out of".
In 2008, Foye was jailed for a minimum of nine years for the rape, which he carried out in Cumbernauld.In 2008, Foye was jailed for a minimum of nine years for the rape, which he carried out in Cumbernauld.
Mr MacAskill later apologised to the schoolgirl and ordered improvements to the system.Mr MacAskill later apologised to the schoolgirl and ordered improvements to the system.
'Decisive moment''Decisive moment'
Foye was serving a sentence for attempting to murder a police officer when he absconded from Castle Huntly, after being allowed out to attend an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.Foye was serving a sentence for attempting to murder a police officer when he absconded from Castle Huntly, after being allowed out to attend an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.
Describing his inspection as a "decisive moment for the future of the open estate", Dr McLellan said the Scottish Prison Service had learned lessons and "tightened considerably" the requirements for admission to open prison.Describing his inspection as a "decisive moment for the future of the open estate", Dr McLellan said the Scottish Prison Service had learned lessons and "tightened considerably" the requirements for admission to open prison.
"This current inspection report demonstrates that significant change has taken place this year in the open estate," his report stated."Much of the change can be attributed to reaction to that case of rape by an absconding prisoner." "This current inspection report demonstrates that significant change has taken place this year in the open estate," his report stated. "Much of the change can be attributed to reaction to that case of rape by an absconding prisoner."Castle Huntly aims help prisoners back into the community
Castle Huntly aims help prisoners back into the community
Inspectors said the absconding rate was still high, but dropping, while the number of short-term prisoners had "reduced considerably" in favour of long-term inmates preparing to be released.Inspectors said the absconding rate was still high, but dropping, while the number of short-term prisoners had "reduced considerably" in favour of long-term inmates preparing to be released.
But Dr McLellan said accredited programmes to address offending behaviour should be introduced, while there needed to be more opportunities for inmates' families to better engage with the system before they were given home leave.But Dr McLellan said accredited programmes to address offending behaviour should be introduced, while there needed to be more opportunities for inmates' families to better engage with the system before they were given home leave.
He said prisoners must be better prepared for moving from closed to open prisons and called for further improvements to community risk assessment procedures.He said prisoners must be better prepared for moving from closed to open prisons and called for further improvements to community risk assessment procedures.
Inspectors issued eight recommendations in all, including calls to improve healthcare facilities at Noranside, in Angus, where milk and coffee was found being stored in the medication fridge.Inspectors issued eight recommendations in all, including calls to improve healthcare facilities at Noranside, in Angus, where milk and coffee was found being stored in the medication fridge.
Mr MacAskill said the prison service was already acting on the recommendations.Mr MacAskill said the prison service was already acting on the recommendations.
He said of Dr McLellen's inspection: "I am particularly reassured he has found significant improvements in the risk assessment and risk management of prisoners following the Robert Foye case."He said of Dr McLellen's inspection: "I am particularly reassured he has found significant improvements in the risk assessment and risk management of prisoners following the Robert Foye case."