Standards set for prison inspections

Prison inspector wants fresh air, fruit and veg and chance of self improvement for all

News, 24 August 2006

Standards governing the inspection of Scottish prisons have been set for the first time.

Dr Andrew McLellan, the chief inspector of prisons, said they are intended to make the inspection process more consistent and transparent.

In a report published today, Dr McLellan sets out his standards, governed by three main principles - safety, respect for human rights and the opportunity for self-improvement, including measures to resolve the problems that led the prisoner to crime.

Standards for the treatment of prisoners worldwide are largely taken from article 10 of the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

New rights for prisoners include staff adressing prisoners by their first names, fresh air in cells, regular supplies of clean underwear and the provision of daily fruit and vegetables.

Recent legal challenges to the way prisoners are treated resulted in the end of the practice of "slopping out". Many legal actions are still in progress against the Scottish Prison Service for compensation for prisoners forced to slop out.

Dr McLellan said: "I believe that the time has come to formalise [the] standards, so that prisoners, prison staff and the public can understand and have confidence in our work.

"The publication of these standards is designed to enable prisoners and prison staff to understand the main areas to be examined in the course of an inspection and what would be expected in each area."

Dr McLellan's report can be read at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/08/03104351/0 .