Prison inspector condemns slopping out

Dr Andrew McLellan calls for improvements at Peterhead

News, 20 July 2005

The conditions at Peterhead Prison will never be decent while the practice of slopping out remains in place - that's the conclusion of the Chief Inspector of Prisons in a report from a follow-up inspection of the prison in March.

Dr Andrew McLellan said the prison did deserve recognition for progress that had been made since the last inspection was made. This progress includes the installation of electric power in all cells, more participation in the STOP programme aimed at tackling sex offending, prisoners no longer sharing cells and the 'top end' accommodation providing very good living conditions for a small number of prisoners.

However, he said that prisoners are still spending too long locked up in their cells, that slopping out continues and there is a lot of uncertainity over the prison's future. One option being considered is the creation of a new prison for the north east in Peterhead, replacing the current building, and Craiginches in Aberdeen.

Dr McLellan said: "The conditions in which Peterhead prisoners live will never be decent while slopping out continues.

"The uncertainty over the future of the prison is also as great as ever. Managers, staff and prisoners are no more clear now than they were one year ago about what will happen - and uncertainty itself has had one more year to have its effect."