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HMIPS Annual Report 2020-2021

On 02/11/21 HMIPS published its Annual Report 2020- 2021, advising that overcrowding, social isolation, an ageing estate, access to purposeful and rehabilitative activity, the numbers on remand, the high prevalence of mentally unwell people, the backlog in offending behaviour work and access to consistent health remained “highly problematic”. It noted human rights entitlement of access to fresh air was routinely compromised during COVID-19 outbreaks and that “IPMs continued to receive multiple requests regarding perceived barriers to        progression from prisoners. These concerned the suspension of offending behaviour programmes, delays in temporary release applications and general queries related to risk management decisions and integrated case management processes”.

HMIPS Health and Well-Being Pre-Inspection Survey

On 28/10/21 28/10/21 HMIPS published a health and wellbeing pre-inspection survey that was piloted on the under 18 population in HMP YOI Polmont. It was developed with CYCPS and CYCJ and is going be further developed for the adult population as a pilot in 2022. Despite the very small sample, there appeared to be some encouraging results around perceptions of safety and support. However, there were some serious concerns around the lack of time out of cell, close to the definition of solitary confinement, and insufficient access to rehabilitative activity opportunities.

HMIPS Liaison Visit to HMP Greenock

On 29 July 2021, HMIPS published a report on its Liaison Visit to HMP Greenock. It made a number of criticisms, many of which were related to the ageing building and its leaking roof; lack of accessible cells; and progression, specifically lack of opportunities, backlog of paperwork and unsatisfactory slow processes.

HMIPS Liaison Visit to HMP Castle Huntly

On 27 July 2021, HMIPS published a report on its Liaison Visit to HMP Castle Huntly. Its criticisms focused on the need for substantial modernisation and improvement to the accommodation blocks and the need for more single cells. It also pushed for the reintroduction of communal dining.

Mental Welfare Commission Report: Women and Mental Ill-Health

On 8 July 2021, the Mental Welfare Commission published a report entitled,‘Concerns About the Care of Women with Mental Ill-Health in Prison in Scotland: An Analysis of the Records of Nine Women in Custody’. It reviewed the records of nine women who received mental health care in prison custody in Scotland between 2017 and early 2020 in response to a a report by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (the CPT) in October 20191 about their visit to police and prison premises in Scotland in October 2018. The CPT had raised serious concerns about the wellbeing of women with mental ill health in HMP YOI Cornton Vale, particularly about delays in accessing inpatient treatment, and about women with personality disorder not being eligible for transfer to a psychiatric hospital.

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