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Prison and court slated in report Prison and court slated in report
(about 10 hours later)
Conditions for prisoners in Aberdeen are likely to "only get worse" before the arrival of a new jail, according to a new report.Conditions for prisoners in Aberdeen are likely to "only get worse" before the arrival of a new jail, according to a new report.
HMP Grampian will be built on the site of the area's other jail at Peterhead.HMP Grampian will be built on the site of the area's other jail at Peterhead.
Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland, Dr Andrew McLellan, said Craiginches in Aberdeen was overcrowded and needed improvement.Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland, Dr Andrew McLellan, said Craiginches in Aberdeen was overcrowded and needed improvement.
He also said the conditions for prisoners at Aberdeen Sheriff Court were "disgraceful".He also said the conditions for prisoners at Aberdeen Sheriff Court were "disgraceful".
HMP Grampian will hold about 500 inmates and replace the two older jails in Aberdeen and Peterhead. Dr McLennan found that Craiginches had the highest rate of illegal drug use of any prison in Scotland in tests.
Despite these very significant difficulties, there is much in this report that Aberdeen prison can be proud of Dr Andrew McLellanHer Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland Dr McLellan said Aberdeen was "very overcrowded", had a shortage of staff, there was very little useful work available to prisoners, they spend long hours inside their cells, and the building itself had almost no recent investment. The new HMP Grampian will hold about 500 inmates and replace the two older jails in Aberdeen and Peterhead.
Despite these very significant difficulties, there is much in this report that Aberdeen prison can be proud of Dr Andrew McLellanHer Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland Dr McLellan said Aberdeen was "very overcrowded", had a shortage of staff, there was very little useful work available to prisoners, they spend long hours inside their cells, and the building itself had had almost no recent investment.
Referring to these criticisms, he said: "Five things are badly wrong at Aberdeen prison; and the paradox of the announcement of a new prison in the north east of Scotland to replace Aberdeen is that until these much improved conditions arrive it is likely that things will only get worse for those current prisoners.Referring to these criticisms, he said: "Five things are badly wrong at Aberdeen prison; and the paradox of the announcement of a new prison in the north east of Scotland to replace Aberdeen is that until these much improved conditions arrive it is likely that things will only get worse for those current prisoners.
"Aberdeen is always one of the most overcrowded prisons in the country. One of the worst parts of this is the exercise arrangements for prisoners on protection."Aberdeen is always one of the most overcrowded prisons in the country. One of the worst parts of this is the exercise arrangements for prisoners on protection.
"Because there is so little room these prisoners have to walk around inside a large 'pen' for the purpose of fresh air exercise. This arrangement is so dreadful that it must be replaced immediately.""Because there is so little room these prisoners have to walk around inside a large 'pen' for the purpose of fresh air exercise. This arrangement is so dreadful that it must be replaced immediately."
'Dramatic improvement''Dramatic improvement'
However, the report also points out that prisoners feel safe, all prisoners have access to very good learning opportunities, including those on remand, healthcare is good, and the prison has developed good relations with a wide range of community agencies. In 2007-08, random tests of prisoners entering the prison found 79% tested positive for drugs compared with 67% of those sampled when leaving. This 12% reduction was the lowest noted in any prison in the country.
The report points out that prisoners feel safe, all prisoners have access to very good learning opportunities, including those on remand, healthcare is good, and the prison has developed good relations with a wide range of community agencies.
He said: "Despite these very significant difficulties, there is much in this report that Aberdeen prison can be proud of."He said: "Despite these very significant difficulties, there is much in this report that Aberdeen prison can be proud of."
Ministers cannot continue to use the new prison, HMP Grampian, as an excuse to do nothing in Aberdeen for the next few years Nicol StephenAberdeen South MSP Dr McLellan added: "A most disturbing part of this report is not actually about Aberdeen prison itself. The conditions for prisoners at Aberdeen Sheriff Court are disgraceful: dramatic improvement is needed immediately."Ministers cannot continue to use the new prison, HMP Grampian, as an excuse to do nothing in Aberdeen for the next few years Nicol StephenAberdeen South MSP Dr McLellan added: "A most disturbing part of this report is not actually about Aberdeen prison itself. The conditions for prisoners at Aberdeen Sheriff Court are disgraceful: dramatic improvement is needed immediately."
A Scottish Prison Service (SPS) spokesman said it was a fair and reasonable report, and the sort of facilities a modern prison needed would be offered at the new development in Peterhead.A Scottish Prison Service (SPS) spokesman said it was a fair and reasonable report, and the sort of facilities a modern prison needed would be offered at the new development in Peterhead.
And Scottish Courts Service chief executive Eleanor Emberson said: "The Scottish Court Service welcomes the report and agrees that on the day of inspection there were a number of specific problems encountered in the custody holding cells at Aberdeen Sheriff Court and, in particular, that there is an ongoing problem with overcrowding in the custody cells.
"We immediately addressed a number of the issues raised regarding ventilation, cleanliness and the agents' room. The problem encountered with the custody area ventilation was known and scheduled for repair at the time of the visit. The custody area has been deep cleaned.
"The increase in court business in Aberdeen Sheriff Court has put demands on the overall accommodation."
'Record investment'
Aberdeen South MSP Nicol Stephen said: "This report is deeply concerning and is the second inspection to highlight serious weaknesses with prisons in the north east. I am writing to the justice secretary calling for urgent action.Aberdeen South MSP Nicol Stephen said: "This report is deeply concerning and is the second inspection to highlight serious weaknesses with prisons in the north east. I am writing to the justice secretary calling for urgent action.
"The Scottish Government must act now to address the serious problems highlighted in this report. Ministers cannot continue to use the new prison, HMP Grampian, as an excuse to do nothing in Aberdeen for the next few years.""The Scottish Government must act now to address the serious problems highlighted in this report. Ministers cannot continue to use the new prison, HMP Grampian, as an excuse to do nothing in Aberdeen for the next few years."
'Record investment'
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said it had been recognised for some time that Craiginches was no longer fit-for-purpose.Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said it had been recognised for some time that Craiginches was no longer fit-for-purpose.
He said: "That is why we are building a new publicly-run prison in the Peterhead area - as part of a record £120m a year capital investment - to replace the inadequate facilities at Aberdeen and Peterhead.He said: "That is why we are building a new publicly-run prison in the Peterhead area - as part of a record £120m a year capital investment - to replace the inadequate facilities at Aberdeen and Peterhead.
"But until that new facility is up and running it is important that HMP Aberdeen operates as well as it can.""But until that new facility is up and running it is important that HMP Aberdeen operates as well as it can."
Labour justice spokesman Richard Baker said: "The proposed closure of Craiginches is folly. Kenny MacAskill should reconsider his plan to close Craiginches and either make the necessary improvements to the prison or consider a new facility within the city."Labour justice spokesman Richard Baker said: "The proposed closure of Craiginches is folly. Kenny MacAskill should reconsider his plan to close Craiginches and either make the necessary improvements to the prison or consider a new facility within the city."