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Court transport failings revealed Court transport failings revealed
(about 13 hours later)
Scottish court conditions have been condemned in the first comprehensive inspection of the treatment of prisoners under escort.Scottish court conditions have been condemned in the first comprehensive inspection of the treatment of prisoners under escort.
In a newly published report, the Chief Inspector of Prisons warned of "lax or inappropriate" practices at some courts which could lead to escape attempts. In a newly published report, the chief inspector of prisons warned of "lax or inappropriate" practices at some courts which could lead to escape attempts.
It also criticised regular delays in delivering prisoners to court hearings.It also criticised regular delays in delivering prisoners to court hearings.
The report said Reliance, the company responsible, deserved credit for its handling of the complex operation.The report said Reliance, the company responsible, deserved credit for its handling of the complex operation.
Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland Andrew McLellan examined the way inmates are transported between jails and courts. Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland, Dr Andrew McLellan, examined the way inmates were transported between jails and courts.
His report found that in some areas there were no reserved parking for the vans used to transport inmates and in some cases the public were able to heckle prisoners arriving at courts. His report found that in some areas there was no reserved parking for the vans used to transport inmates and sometimes the public were able to heckle prisoners arriving at courts.
Risk of assaultRisk of assault
The private firm Reliance Custodial Services (RCS) took over transportation of prisoners from the Scottish Prison Service in April 2004.The private firm Reliance Custodial Services (RCS) took over transportation of prisoners from the Scottish Prison Service in April 2004.
It deals with an average of 15,594 prisoner movements a month.It deals with an average of 15,594 prisoner movements a month.
But the report revealed "lax or inappropriate practices appeared to be followed" when prisoners arrived at some courts. The report revealed "lax or inappropriate practices appeared to be followed" when prisoners arrived at some courts.
It cited one instance when the doors into and out of the vehicle dock area were both open, leaving a clear route for any prisoner who wanted to try to escape.It cited one instance when the doors into and out of the vehicle dock area were both open, leaving a clear route for any prisoner who wanted to try to escape.
The report said: "Inspectors observed a number of occasions where members of the public were in close contact with prisoners, leaving open the risk of assault, or of items being passed.The report said: "Inspectors observed a number of occasions where members of the public were in close contact with prisoners, leaving open the risk of assault, or of items being passed.
Andrew McLellan examined the way inmates are transported to court Dr McLellan examined the way inmates are transported to court
"Similarly, on two occasions, inspectors witnessed family members attempt to approach a prisoner while he or she was being transferred to the court building.""Similarly, on two occasions, inspectors witnessed family members attempt to approach a prisoner while he or she was being transferred to the court building."
Dr McLellan also highlighted some "shortcomings in security" inside a small number of court buildings when prisoners are being taken from custody suites to the courtrooms. Dr McLellan also highlighted some "shortcomings in security" inside a small number of court buildings when prisoners were being taken from custody suites to the courtrooms.
The report revealed: "At one court, a fire escape was observed to be wedged open while prisoners were being transferred."The report revealed: "At one court, a fire escape was observed to be wedged open while prisoners were being transferred."
It also said that at one court, Reliance staff indicated some prisoners had had to stay inside the vehicle for more than six hours. It also said that at one court, Reliance staff indicated some prisoners had to stay inside the vehicle for more than six hours.
The report added there could be "unreasonable delays" in court appearances, stating that a court appearance lasting just five minutes could involve an inmate being out of jail for up to 12 hours. The report added that there could be "unreasonable delays" in court appearances, stating that a court appearance lasting just five minutes could involve an inmate being out of jail for up to 12 hours.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said the issues highlighted in the report were operational matters for the Scottish Prison Service and the Scottish Court Service to address. Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said the issues highlighted in the report were operational matters for the Scottish Prison Service and the Scottish Courts Service to address.
The safety of victims and ordinary public from prisoners under escort is not guaranteed Bill AitkenTory justice spokesmanThe safety of victims and ordinary public from prisoners under escort is not guaranteed Bill AitkenTory justice spokesman
He said: "I expect them to act on the recommendations from Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons."He said: "I expect them to act on the recommendations from Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons."
Tory justice spokesman Bill Aitken said: "The report says that various layout and operational arrangements mean it is difficult in some cases to guarantee the safety of prisoners and staff.Tory justice spokesman Bill Aitken said: "The report says that various layout and operational arrangements mean it is difficult in some cases to guarantee the safety of prisoners and staff.
"Logically then, it would be accurate to say that the safety of victims and ordinary public from prisoners under escort is not guaranteed either, although that seems to be a secondary consideration.""Logically then, it would be accurate to say that the safety of victims and ordinary public from prisoners under escort is not guaranteed either, although that seems to be a secondary consideration."
A spokesman for the Scottish Court Service said implementing the recommendations in the report would be an "ongoing process", along with the Scottish Prison Service, Reliance and others. A spokesman for the Scottish Courts Service said implementing the recommendations in the report would be an "ongoing process", alongside the Scottish Prison Service, Reliance and others.
"In the time since the inspection took place many of the issues identified have been tackled as part of our custody improvement programme," he said."In the time since the inspection took place many of the issues identified have been tackled as part of our custody improvement programme," he said.
"In the last three years we have spent £3m on custody improvements alone.""In the last three years we have spent £3m on custody improvements alone."