HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland: Report on HMP Perth – Full Inspection, 1-12 December 2014

Copyright

© Crown copyright, 2015

This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk.

Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.

This publication is available at www.gov.scot

Any enquiries regarding this publication should be sent to us at
The Scottish Government
St Andrew’s House
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG

First published by the Scottish Government, June 2015
ISBN: 978-1-78544-418-0 (web only)

E-book in EPUB format first published by the Scottish Government, June 2015
ISBN: 978-1-78544-451-7 (EPUB)

E-book in MOBI format first published by the Scottish Government, June 2015
ISBN: 978-1-78544-452-4 (MOBI)

Published by the Scottish Government, June 2015

Produced for the Scottish Government by APS Group Scotland, 21 Tennant Street, Edinburgh EH6 5NA
PPDAS51248 (06/15)

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland (HMCIPS) assesses the quality of prisons in Scotland against a set of Standards. These Standards are set out in the document "Standards Used in the Inspection of Prisons in Scotland" 2006 which can be found at www.gov.scot/Resource/Doc/254430/0100121.pdf. Note: these have subsequently been replaced by revised standards issued in March 2015 which can be found on our website at www.prisonsinspectoratescotland.gov.uk.

The Standards reflect the independence of the inspection of prisons in Scotland and are designed to provide information to prisoners, prison staff and the wider community on the main areas that are examined during the course of an inspection.

The Standards provide assurance to Ministers and the public that inspections are conducted in line with a framework that is consistent and that assessments are made against appropriate criteria.

While the basis for these Standards is rooted in international human rights treaties and conventions and in prison rules, they are the Standards of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland (HMIPS).

This report reflects the Standards and has three main sections:

1. Safety: security, good order, protection of prisoners from harm;

2. Decency, humanity and respect for legal rights: all aspects of the treatment of prisoners and the framework of rights within which imprisonment should operate; and

3. Opportunities for self‑improvement and access to services and activities: the activities provided by the prison, the ethos, measures taken to solve the problems that led the prisoner into crime, preparation for release and social reintegration.

HMIPS gathers together information to enable assessments to be arrived at. A number of different techniques are used to do this. These techniques include:

obtaining information and documents from the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) and the prison being inspected;

shadowing and observing Prison Service and other specialist staff as they perform their duties within the prison;

interviewing prisoners and staff on a one‑to‑one basis;

conducting focus groups with prisoners and staff;

observing prison services as they are delivered;

inspecting facilities;

attending and observing relevant meetings; and

reviewing policies, procedures and other documents including performance reports.

HMIPS is supported in our work by inspectors from Healthcare Improvement Scotland, Education Scotland and the Care Inspectorate.

The information that we gather enables us to obtain a full picture of the prison. This enables us to ensure that our assessments are fair, balanced and accurate.

This report outlines where Standards are being met and where they are not. It identifies where improvements are required. Where improvements are needed, the report makes appropriate recommendations. The report also highlights areas of the establishment which are to be commended and are listed as good practice.

KEY FACTS

Location
Her Majesty's Prison Perth is located approximately one mile south of Perth City Centre on the A912 Edinburgh Road.

Role
HMP Perth holds adult short and long‑term convicted male prisoners and those on remand from the courts of Angus, City of Dundee, Perth and Kinross and the northern part of Fife. The prison also accommodates long‑term adult male high supervision prisoners who are serving sentences of up to life imprisonment in secure conditions.

History
Perth Prison was built between 1810 and 1812 by Napoleonic Prisoners of War. During that time it was used as a depot for some 7,000 prisoners from the War. In 1842, the building began service as a civilian prison and is Scotland's oldest occupied prison. 'A' and 'B' Halls were refurbished and opened in 1997‑98, as was the Separation and Reintegration Unit (SRU). In recent years 'C' Hall was constructed, and was formally opened in 2008.

Accommodation
There are three accommodation Houseblocks – 'A' Hall, 'B' Hall and 'C' Hall ‑ comprising both single and double cells. There is also a 14 cell Separation and Reintegration Unit.

Contract Capacity/Population held at time of Inspection
The prison's agreed capacity is 631 and at the time of the inspection, 6 December 2014, there were 105 untried adult male prisoners, 480 sentenced adult male prisoners, one sentenced young offender, eight recall life sentence adult male prisoners, and 32 convicted adult males awaiting sentence.

Date of last inspection
April 2010

Healthcare Provider
NHS Tayside

Learning Provider
Fife College

HMCIPS

Setting the Scene

HMP Perth is Scotland's oldest occupied prison which has undergone refurbishment and new construction in recent years. The standard of accommodation in the prison is reasonable and cells are adequately furnished, however some shared cells are cramped.

HMP Perth was last subject to a full inspection by HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland in 2010. For the full inspection conducted in December 2014, the team was assisted by inspectors from Education Scotland, Healthcare Improvement Scotland and the Care Inspectorate. I am very grateful for their invaluable contribution to the inspection process.

Inspection of HMP Perth

HMP Perth holds adult male short and long term convicted prisoners as well as those on remand from the courts of Angus, City of Dundee, Perth and Kinross and the north of Fife. At the time of the inspection there were 626 prisoners being held, the agreed capacity is 631.

The standard of accommodation in the prison is reasonable and cells are adequately furnished however, some cells designed as single cell accommodation were regularly occupied by two people and were extremely cramped with insufficient room to move around in.

The general standard of food and portion sizes was found to be good however not all prisoners are able to dine communally.

Relationships between staff and prisoners were observed to be positive. There was clear evidence that family members were kept informed about significant changes in a prisoner's circumstances.

Prisoners have good access to a varied regime which incorporates a number of opportunities for prisoners to attend work, education and recreation. Work party spaces however are insufficient which results in some prisoners spending longer periods of time within their cells.

There are no undue delays in prisoners accessing healthcare services however some improvements are required with the dispensing of medication safely and efficiently. Healthcare provision for prisoners with chronic/long term conditions is not adequate and the capacity for healthcare staff to deliver therapeutic interventions is also limited.

Visiting arrangements were very good and appreciated by prisoners. The Visitors Centre was well run and it was clear that strong relationships are in place with the prison's Family Contact Officers and Barnado's Scotland. I was particularly impressed with the 'Thrive' Early Years Change Fund Public Social Partnership (Thrive PSP) which operates within the prison to support families with children under the age of five who have been impacted by parental imprisonment.

Prisoners receive wide-ranging and effective pre-release support from staff and the prison has good support services in place to assist prisoners being released into their local community. The prison has participated in a Community Re-integration project (CRP) since 2012 designed to support those prisoners returning to the Dundee area. There is limited evidence of the effectiveness of the support being provided and the project is poorly advertised to prisoners.

Summary

Overall this is a good report for HMP Perth and one which highlights areas of good practice and identifies where there is potential and opportunity for improvement. The report contains 41 recommendations and 8 areas of good practice. The Inspectorate will continue to monitor the progress HMP Perth makes in implementing its action plan in response to the recommendations. We look forward to seeing the areas of good practice taken up throughout other prisons in Scotland.

David Strang
HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland

PART 1: Safety

OUTCOME 1

Appropriate steps are taken to ensure that individual prisoners are protected from harm by themselves and others.

Overview

On admission, all prisoners promptly undergo health and addiction assessments. However, the initial checks conducted are not comprehensive and support work is not always followed through. During the inspection, it was observed that a prisoner being readmitted to the prison from hospital was returned directly to the Hall without the necessary healthcare checks being carried out.

Healthcare provision is not well‑advertised throughout the prison. Clinical dispensing rooms in the Houseblocks were also found to be in poor condition.

Good use is made of both prisoner escort records and translated material to help admit prisoners. Initial interviews observed were carried out sensitively with particular care taken with prisoners who were admitted into custody for the first time. Prisoners who required protection were located in the First Night Centre on a restricted regime until suitable mainstream accommodation became available.

There is not always a member of staff trained in first‑aid on duty and not all staff covering patrol duties at the weekend are sufficiently well briefed.

Effective use is made of family involvement at reviews concerning vulnerable prisoners.

Most planned removals of prisoners are filmed and meticulous records of these are retained. The prison is reasonably effective at dealing with violence but information sharing relating to this needs to be improved in order to provide a more integrated approach. Useful work has been initiated with prisoners to address violence against women.

Staff breaks during the middle of the day have an adverse impact on the prisoners' regime and improvements are required in the way cover for staff sickness is managed.

Relationships between staff and prisoners are good and the approach towards security is proportionate.

STANDARD 1

Prisoners are safe at all times; while being escorted to and from prison, in prison and while under escort in any location.

1.1 Prisoners are provided with a basic explanation of what to expect during the admission process in Reception. Explanations are provided verbally to those prisoners who can understand and speak English and for those prisoners who cannot understand or speak English, a selection of cards are provided in various languages to allow the prisoner to identify which language he speaks. Once his chosen language is identified the prison arranges for a translation service to be provided via the telephone to ensure the prisoner is able to understand the admission process. During observations, the translation service was used for a Lithuanian prisoner who could not understand English. It was also noted that the prison make use of an online translation tool to aid communication. This is positive.

1.2 On admission, all prisoners are assessed for substance misuse and alcohol‑related issues as part of the healthcare admission process and healthcare records are also checked when available. These assessments are carried out by a Primary Care Nurse in a clinical interview room within Reception. Symptomatic relief and detoxification prescriptions can commence immediately, however the majority of prisoners wait to be seen by a doctor within the first 24 hours of admission and will then be prescribed appropriate medication. In the days following admission, every prisoner's relevant health assessment information is checked by a member of the Substance Misuse Team who arranges follow‑up meetings for those who require further assessment and support.

1.3 As already stated, all prisoners are assessed by a member of the Primary Care Nurse Team on admission and assessed by a doctor within 24 hours. During this screening/assessment however, baseline observations such as blood pressure, pulse and respirations, height and weight, etc., are not always recorded. Inspectors observed prisoners reporting issues such as a history of severe alcohol dependency and illicit substance misuse yet baseline clinical observations were not monitored or recorded. Furthermore, inspectors were advised that baseline physical observations are not routinely monitored as this would add time to the admission process. This is a significant weakness.

Recommendation 1: NHS Tayside should ensure that all prisoners, on admission, are assessed and that baseline observations are carried out and properly recorded.

1.4 On admission, electronic healthcare records are created/updated on the NHS patient record system – VISION. During the inspection there were a number of occasions when staff were unable to access VISION to create or access a healthcare record and instead information was documented on paper copies. This resulted in additional work for healthcare staff and the potential for duplication of records or information being mislaid. This is a weakness.

1.5 During the admissions interview, prisoners are asked to state if they have any injuries. Additionally, visible injuries identified during a body search are discussed with the prisoner and relevant information is passed to healthcare staff for information and attention.

1.6 Prisoners are not routinely reassessed by healthcare staff upon return from hospital. During the inspection, a prisoner was observed returning to the prison having spent a period of time in hospital as an in‑patient. The prisoner was quite obviously bleeding from a surgical wound and despite the Escort Contractor (G4S) and the prisoner bringing this to the attention of officers in Reception, the information was not passed to healthcare staff and the prisoner was returned to the Hall without being assessed. This is a weakness.

Recommendation 2: NHS Tayside should ensure that all prisoners returning to the prison from hospital are assessed by healthcare staff.

1.7 During the inspection, all prisoners were observed to arrive in Reception with a valid warrant/legislative paperwork which was validated by an officer before the prisoner was accepted for admission into the prison. Any information contained within the paperwork or the Prisoner Escort Form in relation to a prisoner potentially being at risk of harm to themselves or from others was passed to the Reception officer and healthcare staff and was discussed with the prisoner during the admission interview. A number of these interviews were observed during the course of the inspection and were found to be conducted in a supportive and encouraging manner. This is positive.

1.8 During the admission interview completed by the officer in Reception, any potential vulnerability or mental health issues are also discussed with the prisoner and documented. During the inspection the majority of prisoners were processed and transferred to their allocated residential area timeously, however there are a number of lockable holding rooms in Reception which provide staff with good levels of observation, where prisoners deemed as at risk of self‑harm, are displaying mental health issues or who may be vulnerable can be located prior to being moved to their allocated residential accommodation.

1.9 On arrival, all newly admitted prisoners are assessed for mental health issues as part of the initial health assessment. An ACT 2 Care assessment is completed for all prisoners by officers and healthcare staff. Staff spoken with stated that prisoners identified as being at risk of self‑harm or suicide are managed under the ACT 2 Care Strategy and have appropriate care plans and risk management strategies put in place including safer cells when appropriate. At the time of the inspection there were five prisoners being managed in this way and documentation reviewed by inspectors confirmed that multi‑disciplinary case conferences are regularly convened and outcomes and care plans are realistic and supportive. Family members are actively invited and encouraged to attend. If appropriate, specialist services such as mental health, addictions, etc, can be involved in Case Conferences.

1.10 Options for increased support for prisoners on ACT 2 Care include enhanced observations, increased support from officers and in extreme cases being located in a safer cell (a cell with no ligature points and minimal fittings and furniture), where prisoners have less opportunity to harm themselves.

1.11 There are listeners (prisoners trained by the Samaritans) available to support prisoners through any period of personal crisis and their services are well‑publicised throughout the prison. Additionally, Chaplains provide additional support and maintain regular contact with prisoners on ACT 2 Care.

1.12 There is a lack of published information about health service provision, the functions of the Health Centre and Healthcare Teams in the Visitor Centre and in general throughout the residential areas. This is a weakness.

Recommendation 3: NHS Tayside should ensure that appropriate information is displayed within the prison in relation to access to and the service provided by healthcare.

1.13 NHS Tayside infection control policies and protocols are applied within the prison and a nurse is the designated lead on infection control. Waste and sharps disposal systems are in place and staff had sufficient personal protective equipment provided. While hand gels were available in a number of areas some were found to be empty. This is a weakness.

1.14 The standard of hygiene and cleanliness of the Health Centre and wider prison areas is generally good however Health Centre waiting rooms were found to contain debris behind the grills in front of the television. This is a weakness.

1.15 The clinical dispensing rooms within the residential areas of the prison are of a poor standard. During the inspection these rooms were dirty, cramped and in a state of disrepair with plaster coming off the walls and broken units and damaged work surfaces found. In addition, some areas had no access to running hot water. Passmen are responsible for cleaning these areas, the standard to which these areas are cleaned is inconsistent and there is no assurance process in place. This is a weakness.

Recommendation 4: HMP Perth should ensure dispensing rooms in all halls are cleaned to a consistently high standard.

Recommendation 5: HMP Perth and NHS Tayside should ensure dispensing rooms in all halls are fit for purpose.

1.16 The Health Centre has a well‑established Substance Misuse Team in place which consists of an Acting Team Leader, two Addictions Nurses (plus one currently on maternity leave and one vacancy) and six case workers, which is shared with HMP Castle Huntly (the Open Estate). The service is provided Monday‑Friday from 09:00‑17:00. In addition there is a GP available and a Consultant Psychiatrist available one day per week specifically for substance misuse support.

1.17 Naloxone training is offered to all prisoners who are identified as having an illicit substance addiction issue. Group sessions have been offered in the past but due to low numbers, all training is currently delivered on a 1:1 basis.

1.18 On transfer to the FNC an officer will check and provide information in relation to the following:

Information booklet
Procedure for summoning help (cell call system)
Immediate welfare requirements
Unlock and breakfast procedure
Listener Scheme
Discipline system
Vulnerability
Fire procedure
Hall alarm tests
Disability requirements
Complaints procedure
Cell Sharing Risk Assessment
Short‑Term Prisoner Project (only prisoners with a Dundee postcode)

The information booklet is available in the following languages:

Bulgarian
Chinese
Hindi
Hungarian
Latvian
Polish
Romanian
Russian
Slovakian
Turkish
Urdu

1.19 Every prisoner who is admitted to HMP Perth has 30 pence credited to his telephone account and those transferring from another prison should be able to access their existing telephone account as soon as they are allocated to a Hall. A number of prisoners spoken with on the morning after their admission confirmed they had access to the telephone on admission to the Hall.

1.20 A Cell Sharing Risk Assessment requires to be carried out for every prisoner who is admitted to the prison. All records checked confirm that prisoners are being allocated a cell in an appropriate area of the prison.

1.21 Unless identified as being at risk of self-harm, all prisoners admitted into the prison are located in an appropriate area of the FNC. Officers in the FNC told inspectors that they pay specific attention to prisoners who are in custody for the first time and to those who have been sentenced to a long‑term or life sentence when completing the admission checklist. Inspectors spoke with a prisoner who had never been in custody previously the morning after his admission who confirmed the officer who completed the admission checklist had been supportive. This is positive.

1.22 If during the admission interview it is established that a prisoner requires protection from others then he will be located in a separate holding room in Reception prior to being transferred to the FNC, where he will remain overnight, separated from others. He should then be moved to an area of the prison that holds prisoners who require protection from others, or transferred to another establishment with a suitable protection facility. During the inspection, however, in excess of 10 prisoners who required protection from others had been in the FNC for a prolonged period of time, either due to a lack of cells within the area designated for prisoners requiring protection or in some cases due to enemies located in this area. Those prisoners, whilst kept separate in this area for their own safety, suffered from a restricted regime and other than access to periods of exercise and recreation, were locked in their cells for most of the day. This is a weakness.

1.23 HMP Perth confirmed prisoners who require protection from others are regularly held in the FNC for prolonged periods. They told inspectors that every attempt is made to transfer them to a more suitable establishment where they will have access to a normal regime, however due to a current lack of space for prisoners requiring protection from others across the prison estate this can prove difficult.

Recommendation 6: The SPS should ensure that appropriate numbers of spaces are made available to those prisoners who require protection from others.

1.24 In line with SPS requirements HMP Perth has recently reviewed and updated its contingency plans. Paper copies of these plans are kept in the Head of Operations Office and the Command Room and also in electronic form on a restricted access SharePoint site (an electronic file management system located within the Scottish Prison Information Network). All plans were checked during the inspection and found to contain relevant and up‑to‑date information.

1.25 There are Standard Operating Procedures held within the Electronic Control Room which detail the actions to be taken in the event of a number of situations.

1.26 SPS Audit and Assurance Services completed an audit of HMP Perth in relation to Operational Readiness in May 2014 and awarded the establishment substantial assurance.

1.27 Staff working night‑shift are issued with a folder containing information relevant to their duties and the area they are working in. However while this information would also be relevant to officers undertaking patrol duties on a Saturday and Sunday evening these officers are not issued with these folders. This is a weakness.

Recommendation 7: HMP Perth should ensure that all officers undertaking patrol duties are issued with information relevant to their role.

1.28 There are 36 members of staff trained in First‑Aid who work in various locations throughout the prison which means that during periods when the prison is unlocked a member of staff trained in First‑Aid at Work will be on duty. Staff deployment however does not always ensure that a member of staff trained in First‑Aid at Work will be on duty during patrol and night‑duty periods.

Recommendation 8: HMP Perth should ensure that a member of staff trained in First‑Aid at Work is on duty at all times.

1.29 There are plans in place to deal with fires and evacuation. Staff spoken with in various areas of the prison were able to explain the actions they would take in the event of a fire and where the evacuation points were. Similarly prisoners spoken with were aware of the actions they would take in the event of a fire and where they would be evacuated to.

1.30 Fire evacuation points are clearly identified throughout the prison, however not all cells have a notice displayed on the inside door detailing the actions prisoners should take if they are locked in their cell and a fire breaks out.

Recommendation 9: HMP Perth should ensure that the appropriate fire action notices are displayed within all cells.

1.31 When a prisoner presses his cell call button, as well as activating a light outside the cell a member of staff can speak to the prisoner via an intercom system. Prisoners spoken with stated cell calls are responded to quickly during periods of unlock, however during patrol and night‑duty periods response times can be longer. Observation in all residential areas confirmed that cell calls are responded to timeously during periods of unlock and that during patrol and night‑duty periods cell call activity was found to be minimal with staff response times being within acceptable timescales.

1.32 Every cell door has a fit‑for‑purpose observation panel fitted. A number of the observation panels were checked in all residential areas and found to be free from obstruction.

1.33 Staff spoken with confirmed that a senior manager visits the establishment on a monthly basis during night‑duty periods and that there is a rota in place which details which manager is responsible for each visit. On completion of each visit the manager will complete a report which is uploaded onto SharePoint.

STANDARD 2

Force is only used as a last resort and then strictly according to law and procedures.

2.1 There are a number of handcuffs held in the Reception Manager's office. These are only used for escorting prisoner's outwith the prison and a record is kept of their use. Inspectors were advised that although there are a number of plasti‑cuffs available they are rarely used. All paperwork checked during the inspection confirms this to be the case.

2.2 The establishment has two body belts however records confirm they have not been used for a considerable period of time. Similarly records confirm the special cell located within the SRU has also not been used for a considerable period of time.

2.3 Records checked by inspectors confirm that the majority of prisoner removals are recorded. Inspectors were shown a database which is used to record the details of removals and all digital memory cards used to record the removals themselves are kept within the Security Unit in individually numbered, sealed bags. This is positive and an area of good practice.

2.4 Removal paperwork selected at random and examined by inspectors during the inspection confirmed that prisoners were routinely seen by a member of the healthcare staff after the removal. Additionally, there have been no recent complaints made in relation to the use of force.

STANDARD 3

Prisoners are protected from violence and harm by other prisoners.

3.1 Records examined show that there were 94 violent incidents in the prison between 1 January and 30 November 2014 as follows:

Type of Assault | Number recorded
Prisoner on prisoner assault | 48
Prisoner on staff | 9
Prisoner on prisoner fight | 37

3.2 In response to levels of violence, HMP Perth reviewed its approach to violence reduction and as a result introduced a revised Violence Reduction Strategy (VRS). The Inspectors found that the strategy is still in use with bi‑monthly VRS Group meetings held to ensure continued focus in this area. Minutes are produced and a Prison Action Plan exists which is reviewed and updated on a regular basis.

3.3 The prison's VRS is comprehensive and available in both full and condensed versions. It contains clear information and guidance for staff and prisoners however at the time of the full inspection, some staff and prisoners spoken with were not aware of its existence and those that were aware were unclear on where to locate the strategy document or how to apply the process. Additionally, the strategy document was not readily available in the residential halls. This is a weakness.

3.4 The prison's VRS also contains guidance for tackling bullying behaviour within the prison. The SPS already has an existing national Anti‑Bullying Strategy (ABS) in place and when inspectors spoke with prisoners and staff alike there was some confusion over whether the national or local strategy should be applied.

3.5 As part of its VRS, the prison has introduced a process for reporting and investigating all incidents of violence. The process is similar in part to the existing SPS national ABS but there are additional elements which take into account the requirement to address all types of violence. A Violent Incident Review Strategy (VIRS) Group meets to discuss individual cases and agree additional action that may require to be taken. This information is recorded and retained on an action plan and at the time of the inspection, inspectors were able to access this information and verify that the prison is taking appropriate action to address acts of violence. This is positive, however some staff, when asked, were unaware of the purpose of the VIRS Group and could not explain the process they should follow.

Recommendation 10: HMP Perth should review the purpose and use of its Violence Reduction Strategy and ensure both staff and prisoners are aware of, and know how to apply, the process.

3.6 The prison has a local control strategy in place and a Tactical Tasking Group meets on a monthly basis with the aim of identifying operational risks and implementing additional preventative and security measures to combat violence. This meeting is well attended by key stakeholders including the local police and all actions are clearly recorded on a local action plan. At the time of the full inspection, outcomes from this group were not being formally shared with the VRS Group although the prison recognises this should happen.

Recommendation 11: HMP Perth should review how the local Tactical Tasking Group formally links in with the prison's Violence Reduction Strategy.

3.7 The prison introduced a local Violence Against Women (VAW) Strategy in December 2013. The strategy aims to outline ways in which HMP Perth can contribute to challenging VAW and gender inequality and how it can raise awareness amongst prisoners and staff. A local action plan has been put in place which identifies how the prison will implement this strategy and at the time of the inspection White Ribbon Awareness sessions had been delivered and VAW was being included in prisoner Induction. This is positive.

3.8 During the period of the inspection and through discussions with staff and prisoners it was noted that, in general, staff were deployed appropriately in order to maintain operational stability and to prevent incidents of violence from occurring. During observations however, it was noted that during the period of time between 11:00 and 12:00 when staffing levels reduced due to staff breaks, staff in the halls were unable to operate a normal regime and prisoners experienced a restriction to the regime available to them. This is a weakness.

3.9 Positive relationships between staff and prisoners were observed throughout the inspection and interaction took place in a positive and relaxed manner. Prisoners who attended focus groups were very positive about their relationship with staff and stated they would feel comfortable approaching staff if they had any issues in relation to their own personal safety.

STANDARD 4

Security levels for individuals are no higher than is necessary to meet the risk presented by the prisoner.

4.1 The SPS Prisoner Supervision System (PSS) was found to be well‑managed and applied to all prisoners appropriately in the prison.

4.2 HMP Perth has a robust process in place to ensure PSS levels are reviewed timeously and within recognised timescales. All PSS1 forms are completed on first night of admission and a monthly report is generated to highlight all other reviews that are due. Personal Officers are given responsibility for ensuring all reviews are completed on time and the hall First Line Manager (FLM) and Unit Manager provide secondary assurance by checking each completed review and cross‑checking against the monthly report. Inspectors checked this process and did not find any reviews to be outstanding.

4.3 Inspectors noted that the prison's VRS Group will also review a prisoner's supervision level when an act of violence has taken place. Whilst this is positive, there is currently no appeals process in place to allow the prisoner the opportunity to have input. The prison has already recognised that this is an issue and intends to review this area. HMIPS will monitor progress in this area.

STANDARD 5

Procedures for deciding security levels are as transparent as is compatible with the sensitivities of the decision.

5.1 Inspectors found that prisoners understood the process for deciding security levels although the outcome may not have been what they wanted, they were able to explain the different supervision levels and how often their own level would be reviewed. All prisoners were aware of their right to submit self‑representations and to appeal decision made about them.

5.2 A number of PSS forms were checked during the full inspection. Decisions made in respect of prisoner security levels were in line with risk factors and all other relevant information available, however it was noted that 20% of the forms checked did not contain a prisoner declaration signature. This is a weakness.

Recommendation 12: HMP Perth should take appropriate action to ensure that all completed Prisoner Supervision System review forms are signed by the prisoner.

PART 2: Decency, humanity and respect for legal rights

OUTCOME 2

Prisoners are treated with respect for their dignity while being escorted to and from prison, in prison and while under escort in any location.

STANDARD 6

The standards that apply to the treatment of prisoners in prison extend to all other places where they are held.

6.1 This inspection examined HMP Perth. It did not examine other locations where prisoners are held outwith HMP Perth, for example, while under escort in transit vehicles on journeys to and from court or while detained in courts or in legalised police cells.

6.2 Separate inspections on these locations have been carried out and have been published and are available on the HMIPS website at www.prisonsinspectoratescotland.gov.uk.

OUTCOME 3

Prisoners are held in conditions that provide the basic necessities of life and health, including adequate air, light, water, exercise in the fresh air, food, bedding and clothing.

Overview

The standard of accommodation is reasonable. However those prisoners held in cells designed for one that are doubled up are extremely cramped.

Prisoners can wear some of their own clothing and the quality of kit issued is good. Prisoners spoken with were content with the laundry arrangements.

There is good access to showers and the toilet facilities are adequate.

Portion sizes and the general standard of food served are good. The current arrangements for prisoners to clean their own cutlery are not satisfactory. Meals are served at appropriate times but not all prisoners are able to dine communally.

STANDARD 7

The accommodation is clean and provides a reasonable amount of space for each prisoner, with space for personal belongings, ventilation, a reasonable temperature, natural light.

7.1 There are three main residential halls and a SRU within HMP Perth. 'A' Hall and 'B' Hall are among the oldest residential halls within the SPS, while 'C' Hall and the SRU provide newer accommodation.

7.2 'A' Hall has one single and 73 double occupancy cells. 'B' Hall has 128 single and one double occupancy cells, and 'C' Hall has 208 single occupancy and 74 double occupancy cells. The SRU has 14 single occupancy cells.

7.3 Cells in 'A' and 'C' Halls are adequately furnished, with beds, storage, chairs and worktop areas commensurate with the designated cell occupancy. These cells provide enough room for prisoners to move around in. Similarly, cells in the SRU are adequately furnished and provide prisoners with enough room to move around in.

7.4 During the inspection two prisoners were routinely being held in single occupancy design cells in 'B' Hall. While there were adequate beds, chairs and worktop areas for each prisoner, these cells were extremely cramped and did not provide prisoners with enough room to move around in. Prisoners located in these cells commented negatively in relation to both the physical conditions and the lack of personal space afforded them.

Recommendation 13: HMP Perth should ensure the population within 'B' Hall does not exceed the design capacity of 130.

7.5 Windows in all cells in HMP Perth permit adequate light and fresh air. Most cells in all residential areas were clean, and during the inspection prisoners were observed cleaning their cells regularly. Cleaning materials were seen to be readily available.

7.6 Areas outside the cells, including stairs and meal serveries, were found to be clean and maintained to a high standard.

STANDARD 8

Prisoners are allowed into the open air for at least one hour a day every day.

8.1 Prisoners in HMP Perth have the opportunity to spend a period of one hour a day in the open air. 'A' and 'B' Halls prisoners have one hour scheduled into their daily regime either in the morning or the afternoon. 'C' Hall prisoners have their time in the open air split in two with 30 minutes offered in the afternoon and a further 30 minutes offered in the evening. While there are no issues with splitting this exercise period into two parts, the evening session clashes with the recreation period meaning prisoners cannot attend both.

8.2 Prisoners in the SRU are offered one hour in the open air on a rotational basis throughout each day.

8.3 All exercise areas are fit for purpose and provide adequate space for the amount of prisoners accessing the area.

8.4 There are a number of communal jackets available for prisoners to use during periods of inclement weather however when asked, some staff were unaware of where the jackets were stored. Additionally, some prisoners spoken with were unaware that jackets were available for their use.

Recommendation 14: HMP Perth should ensure prisoners have access to suitable jackets for use in inclement weather during periods of exercise.

STANDARD 9

Personal clothing is in decent condition, washed frequently and fits.

9.1 During the admissions process prisoners are allowed to retain permitted items of their own clothing and footwear. On transfer to their designated residential area prisoners are also supplied with jogging trousers, T‑shirts and sweatshirts. Prison issue clothing inspected was found to be of good quality, clean and available in a range of sizes.

9.2 The arrangements for laundering both prison issue and personal clothing are good with prisoners able to send items to the Laundry Monday‑Friday each week. Prisoners place items in a bag which is numbered and sealed and the bag is then sent to the Laundry where it is washed and dried and returned to the prisoner on the same day. Prisoners advised this process provides them with assurance that their own clothes will be returned to them. Inspectors observed the correct application of the process that is in place for laundering and drying prisoner clothing.

9.3 Prisoners spoken with felt the laundry provision was of a reasonably high standard, however a number did say they did not send their personal clothing to the Laundry and instead chose to wash it themselves in the sinks in their cells as they felt it would be washed better. This was confirmed during observation when a number of items of personal clothing were seen to be drying in residential areas.

STANDARD 10

Bedding is supplied and laundered at frequent intervals.

10.1 Each cell is kitted out with a clean set of bedding when the prisoner first occupies it. Prisoners can then send their bedding for laundering on a daily basis from Monday‑Friday, if they wish. Observation of bedding in use and laundry stores in all residential areas confirmed that bedding is in good condition, clean and in plentiful supply. Prisoners have access to a clean towel on a daily basis.

10.2 Some prisoners spoken with stated that their mattress was in a poor condition. However on checking a sample of mattresses in all residential areas they were found to be in reasonable condition. There is a small stock of mattresses held within the prison to replace those deemed as not fit for purpose.

10.3 The pillows in use in HMP Perth are uncomfortable and as noted in previous inspection reports, deemed unfit for purpose. However, HMIPS are pleased to note that SPS are in the process of procuring fit‑for‑purpose pillows and look forward to them being issued in HMP Perth and across the rest of the SPS estate in due course.

STANDARD 11

Sanitary arrangements take account of health, hygiene and human dignity.

11.1 There is a toilet and wash hand basin in each cell in HMP Perth. In 'A', 'B' and 'C' Halls all cells with the exception of the 'safer cells' have toilets which are fully enclosed meaning prisoners have privacy when using the toilet even when sharing a cell. The toilets in the SRU are not screened meaning privacy is not ensured.

11.2 On admission prisoners are offered a shower in Reception and during observation a number of prisoners chose to do so. Prisoners are offered a shower in Reception prior to leaving for court however in most cases observed prisoners chose not to do so.

11.3 With the exception of accessible cells there are no in‑cell showers and instead there are a number of showers in each section of every residential area. These showers are clean and well‑maintained and provide adequate levels of privacy. Prisoners in HMP Perth can shower on a daily basis.

11.4 There are a number of showers in the Gymnasium that prisoners can access after Physical Training (PT), however most chose not to do so as it would impact on the amount of time they spend participating in an activity within the Gymnasium. Instead most prisoners opt to shower on return to their residential hall.

STANDARD 12

Food is adequate for health, varied and religiously and culturally appropriate.

12.1 HMP Perth was awarded a Healthy Living Award during the period from 23 October 2012‑23 October 2014.

12.2 The kitchen is relatively modern having been built in 2007 and was found to be clean and tidy. Staff and prisoner training records checked were up‑to‑date with appropriate training having taken place. All prisoners working in the kitchen had completed training in line with the 'Food Safety (General Food Hygiene) Regulations 1995 Schedule 1, Chapter X, Training'. The prison allocates a total of 24 prisoners to the kitchen work party with a maximum of 16 working in the kitchen at any one time. At the time of inspection no prisoners were undertaking Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs), however the recently appointed Catering Manager advised that the intention is to deliver SVQs again in the purpose‑built training kitchen. HMIPS will monitor this.

12.3 Food preparation and storage was found to be in accordance with hygiene standards. Although food preparation for vulnerable and mainstream prisoner groups is prepared and transferred to food trolleys at the same time, catering staff oversee the process and inspectors observed the risk of contamination as being low.

12.4 A number of 'C' Hall prisoners spoken with during focus groups and throughout the inspection complained about the temperature of the food. Food trolleys were observed to arrive in the halls just before midday with the food then being transferred from the heated trolley to the servery. At that point prisoners within the hall were served the food which was tested and found to be at an acceptable temperature. The food was then left to sit awaiting further prisoners returning to the hall from work or education. They arrived between 20‑25 minutes after the food had been decanted from the trolley. When the temperature was checked at this stage it was 71°C and whilst adequate (in terms of the Food Hygiene Regulations 2006 (as amended) (Scotland) which states, under paragraph 60 – 'Food that is being kept for commercial operations, which is for service or on display for sale and has been cooked or reheated must be kept at a temperature above 63°C') it would have been more appropriate simply to leave the food in, or return it to the heated trolley. The FLM confirmed that this was what should have happened, and also that when the food trolleys arrive in the halls they should be plugged in. During the inspection it was observed that this did not always take place.

Recommendation 15: HMP Perth should ensure that food trolleys are plugged in to the socket provided within the pantry area as soon as they arrive in the hall and that food is only moved to the servery just prior to serving.

12.5 Portion sizes were observed to be good.

12.6 Fruit and vegetables are provided every day however the choice available for evening meal is such that prisoners can choose a piece of fruit or dessert, not both. This is a weakness.

12.7 There was a suitable range of specialist diets available to meet all prisoners' needs.

12.8 Meals are served at appropriate times with the time between them not excessive apart from weekends with the Friday night tea time to brunch and again on Saturday/Sunday. This is however overcome by providing snack packs to prisoners on both days at the weekend.

12.9 Prisoners can eat their food within the communal dining area of 'C' Hall only. Unfortunately, neither 'A' or 'B' Hall has such an area and prisoners are required to eat within their own cells.

12.10 Prisoners retain their own cutlery, mug and bowl and observations confirm that they wash these utensils in their own cell. Although prisoners are able to request washing‑up liquid for this purpose, this is not hygienic, particularly for those prisoners who share a cell. Suitable dishwashers are located within the hall pantry areas which are used to wash plates, however prisoners spoken with stated they are not used to wash cutlery.

Recommendation 16: HMP Perth should review the system for washing prisoners' cutlery.

OUTCOME 4

Prisoners are treated with respect by prison staff.

Overview

Relationships between staff and prisoners were observed to be good. There was clear evidence that family members were kept informed about significant changes in an individual prisoner's circumstances.

The searching procedures observed were carried out compliantly, efficiently and sensitively.

STANDARD 13

Respect is the underlying basis of all interactions between staff and prisoners.

13.1 Observations throughout the inspection confirmed that relationships between staff and prisoners are positive. In most cases staff and prisoners refer to each other by their first names and it is clear that staff and prisoners know each other well and have a high level of mutual respect for each other.

13.2 In most cases staff clearly displayed name badges.

13.3 Staff confirmed that sensitive or unwelcome news is given to prisoners in private and this is normally done by the hall FLM. Observations confirm that there are adequate private areas in each residential area to allow this to happen.

13.4 Staff and prisoners spoken with were aware of and able to describe the process for prisoners to apply for temporary, escorted leave of absence from the prison in exceptional circumstances, eg compassionate reasons.

STANDARD 14

Security measures such as searching are carried out with regard to the protection of human dignity.

14.1 A number of body searches were observed during the admission process in Reception, and in all cases they were carried out in a professional manner by male officers. During these searches officers clearly explained the body search process to the prisoners. Similarly, observation of numerous rub‑down searches in all areas of the prison were carried out in a professional manner by male officers.

14.2 There is a good record of cell searches that have been undertaken which provides the reason for the search. Prisoners are routinely present when their cell is being searched.

OUTCOME 5

Good contact with family and friends is maintained

Overview

Visiting arrangements are good and appreciated by prisoners. There is a well‑run Visitors Centre and Inspectors were particularly impressed by the special visits for children. These sessions are run by specially trained staff and enable families with children to receive practical and therapeutic support.

Valued work is also carried out by the Family Contact Officers whose role is well understood by prisoners. Feedback is sought from visitors and this is used to help improve the service. A number of prisoners spoken with however complained that visits at the weekend were too short and that it was not always easy to organise visits, as getting through to the booking line proved difficult.

STANDARD 15

Family visits are given high priority in terms of frequency, length and quality and are not restricted as part of any disciplinary or control process.

15.1 Both the facilities and arrangements in place at HMP Perth to enable prisoners to maintain contact with their families and friends are viewed positively by prisoners and staff.

15.2 The prison's Family Strategy Group has been running since June 2013 and although still in its infancy is well‑attended by prison staff and key stakeholders such as Families Outside, Barnardo's Scotland and CrossReach. Meetings are held monthly and a local action plan is in place to address key issues/developments and monitor progress made. The prison recently invited Barnardo's Scotland to carry out an audit of visits in HMP Perth with the specific intention of identifying potential areas for improvement and the recommendations made as a result of this audit have helped inform and shape the prison's action plan. This is positive.

15.3 The prison introduced a Children's Visits Scheme in 2014. Children's visits are available Monday-Friday from 16:30‑17:30 with space for up to 12 prisoners and their families in each session. Both remand and convicted prisoners may apply for entry onto the scheme and once accepted can benefit from as many sessions as they wish, subject to availability. The purpose of these visits is to assist, encourage and nurture the bond between children and their parents. All visits are supervised by dedicated staff and hot meals are provided to enable the family to dine together, further supporting the 'normal' family environment. During the full inspection, it was noted that both prisoners and staff feel very positive about this scheme and the audit report carried out by Barnardo's Scotland further supports this feeling. Inspectors attended two of the Children's visits, and on both occasions the visits were well‑attended and families spoken with stated they enjoyed the quality time with their loved ones. This is positive.

15.4 Although, overall, the Children's Visits Scheme has been very popular and well‑attended (159 spaces out of a possible 240 were taken up in November alone), staff and prisoners alike have stated they think the timing of the visits requires to be amended. Additionally, some parents were of the opinion that weekend children visits would be beneficial. The findings from the audit that Barnardo's Scotland undertook also supports this claim. Many families travel from outside Perth to attend such visits and it is often difficult for parents with children of school age to arrive on time for such visits.

Recommendation 17: HMP Perth should further develop its Children's Visits Scheme and review the session times available.

15.5 The 'Thrive' Early Years Change Fund Public Social Partnership (Thrive PSP) operates within HMP Perth to support families with children under the age of five who have been impacted by parental imprisonment. Activities run by 'Thrive' within the prison include attachment sessions for individual families to promote on-going positive relationships and family art and craft activity sessions. HMP Perth currently has a member of its staff seconded to Barnardo's Scotland (the lead partners for 'Thrive' PSP) who works both within the prison and in the community linking families with activities in their own community as well as practical support and advice. This is an area of good practice.

15.6 The prison has a group of dedicated Family Contact Officers (FCOs) who state they take time to speak with every prisoner upon admission to explain the role of the FCO and to answer any queries or concerns they may have in relation to maintaining contact with family members whilst in prison. FCOs use a Family Contact Induction Form to ensure all prisoners are given a consistent message and additionally, the FCOs offer to contact the prisoner's family on their behalf to enable family members to have their own induction session either face‑to‑ face (Tuesday afternoon) or via the telephone. Information regarding the role of the FCO is also provided during the prison's Prisoner Induction Sessions and when spoken with, prisoners confirmed they had been contacted by an FCO and had a good level of understanding of the role of the FCO within the prison. This is an area of good practice.

15.7 Information in relation to FCO contact details and the services they offer is readily available in both the prison visits waiting area and the visits room itself. This information is also available on the prison's website and in the Prison Visitor's Centre. Posters advertising the work of the FCOs are displayed throughout the prison halls.

15.8 Visit timetables are clearly displayed and information on all aspects of the visiting procedures are widely available in the visits waiting area and on the prison website. Additionally, this information is available in the Prison Visitor's Centre which is located directly outside the prison.

15.9 Directions to the prison and information in relation to help with travel costs are included in the visitor information leaflets and displayed on visitor notice boards within the visits waiting area. Again, this information is also available in the Visitor's Centre. The prison itself is located within walking distance of both rail and bus stations and there are good road links to and from Perth prison.

15.10 The prison's entry and exit procedures were observed to be appropriate and carried out without delay. As a result, prisoners and their visitors were afforded the full visit allocation.

15.11 Remand prisoners are able to have a visit up to six times a week and visitors can book their own visits provided they are on the remand prisoner's visiting list. This facility exists Monday‑Friday between 18:00 and 20:00 and both prisoners and visitors spoken with during the full inspection stated that, at times, it was difficult to get through on the number provided. The audit of Perth prison visits, conducted by Barnardo's Scotland also confirms this as an issue. This is a weakness.

15.12 Convicted prisoners organise their own visits, and let their visitors know when they can come. They can receive up to eight visits a month, space permitting, however both prisoners and staff confirmed that they are often afforded additional visits. None of the prisoners spoken with individually or during the focus groups stated that access to visits was an issue.

15.13 The visit schedule in place at the time of the inspection is noted below:

13:00-14:15

14:45-16:00

16:30-17:30

19:00-20:00

Monday

Convicted

Remand

Family Visit

Convicted

Tuesday

Family Induction

Remand

Family Visit

Convicted

Wednesday

Convicted

Remand

Family Visit

Convicted

Thursday

Remand

Convicted

Family Visit

Remand

Friday

Convicted

Convicted

Family Visit

Remand

14:15-14:50

15:10-15:45

Saturday

Convicted

Remand

Sunday

Convicted

Convicted

15.14 Prisoners advised inspectors that they are able to book visits easily and benefit from additional visits space permitting. They also said that the length of time allowed for a weekend visit was too short and that their families would spend a lot of time and money travelling to the prison to visit them yet would only be allowed a 35 minute visit.

Recommendation 18: HMP Perth should review the duration of weekend visiting times.

15.15 Where there is evidence of or intelligence information which would indicate that there is the potential for a prisoner to take part in a breach of security or discipline or criminal activity, prison management has the authority to place restrictions on the conditions under which that prisoner's visits take place. The prison has a 'Banned and Closed Visits' protocol in place to ensure a consistent approach is applied when dealing with such instances and when examined by inspectors, the protocol and associated paperwork was found to be robust. This protocol is also used to exclude visitors who have been involved in a breach of security or criminal activity within the prison and at the time of the inspection, this paperwork was also found to be in order.

15.16 During the full inspection, staff stated that where possible prisoners local to Perth prison are located there however prisoners will be transferred to other establishments to alleviate overcrowding. When this does happen, the prison will attempt to transfer prisoners to the next closest prison however, this cannot be guaranteed.

15.17 In the event that prisoners are required to be transferred to another prison, HMP Perth has a policy in place to provide the prisoner with at least 48 hours notice and prisoners are expected to contact their family and friends and cancel any visiting arrangements they may have made. If, however, it is not possible to provide advance notice, officers stated that the prisoner would be afforded the opportunity to make a telephone call prior to transfer. Some prisoners spoken with however stated that they knew of other prisoners who were not given adequate notice and that transfers to other establishments regularly took place.

STANDARD 16

Visitors are well treated

16.1 Overall, staff and visitor interactions were observed to be very positive. During the full inspection, staff observed were polite, respectful and provided information and assistance when asked. Visitors spoken with were also positive about their interactions with staff and one visitor stated he was nervous about coming into the prison for the first time but staff took time to explain the checking‑in arrangements and made him feel at ease. This is positive.

16.2 Arrangements for checking‑in were good and carried out quickly and effectively and physical security checks observed were appropriate and mirrored those that staff are asked to undertake. All visitors were asked to use the lockers provided in the vestibule area for storing personal items and any valuables. Information in relation to visitor identification, physical security checks and visiting rules was available in the vestibule area, within the visitors information leaflet and on the prison website.

16.3 HMP Perth has a Prison Visitor's Centre which offers support and advice to prisoners' visitors. The centre is run by CrossReach staff and volunteers and is located in the prison grounds, adjacent to the prison visitors car park. The centre itself is spacious, has a relaxed atmosphere and offers free refreshments. The service offered by CrossReach was very good and strong relationships are in place with the FCOs in the prison and Barnardo's Scotland. Additionally, the centre is working in partnership to support the 'Thrive' PSP and the Manager of the centre contributes to the prison's family strategy. At the time of the inspection, statistics made available to us confirmed that over 500 visitors access this service each month. This is positive.

STANDARD 17

Visits take place in the most relaxed environment compatible with security.

17.1 The visits room in the prison is spacious, clean and well‑maintained. Twenty‑eight visits tables are well spaced out and sufficiently so to allow privacy for prisoners and their visitors.

17.2 Vending machines containing crisps, sweets and juice are located within the visits room for prisoners' visitors to use. There is also a small kitchen area which is currently used to serve hot meals during family visits although prisoners and visitors spoken with stated they would like to be able to purchase hot food and drinks from this area during normal visits.

17.3 Arrangements have been put in place to allow children to play in the visits room. There is a dedicated play area with toys and games available for children of all ages although the selection available for older children is limited. At the time of the full inspection however, the prison had already taken action to increase the toys and games available to children of all ages.

17.4 Prisoners are required to wear prison issue polo‑shirts or sweatshirts during visits. This clothing was observed to be suitable for the purpose of visits.

STANDARD 18

Telephone contact is made as easy as possible.

18.1 There are numerous prisoner telephones located in each residential area which prisoners have access to during periods of unlock. Prisoners spoken with confirmed they are able to use the telephone on a daily basis.

18.2 All telephones have fit‑for‑purpose hoods, however as they are located in communal areas there is a degree of background noise when they are being used during periods such as recreation when a number of prisoners are in the area. When asked prisoners did not highlight any negative issues in relation to not being able to hear or being heard by others when using the telephone and noted their fellow prisoners respect their privacy while using the telephone.

STANDARD 19

Letter contact is made as easy as possible.

19.1 There is no limit on the number of letters a prisoner can send or receive. Staff take outgoing mail to the administration building for posting on a regular basis. Similarly, staff distribute incoming mail timeously. Observation confirmed that staff open incoming non‑privileged mail in the presence of the prisoner.

OUTCOME 6

Prisoners' entitlements are accorded them in all circumstances without facing difficulty.

Overview

On admission prisoners are given clear information about their entitlement to make complaints, their ability to make requests and how they may be dealt with under the disciplinary procedures.

Disciplinary adjudications observed were administered and conducted fairly. Most complaints are resolved informally and formal complaints are dealt with efficiently.

Prisoners have good access to both the Chaplaincy and the Visiting Committee.

The Separation and Reintegration Unit is well run. Prisoners located there are given the opportunity to contribute towards how they serve their time and their basic needs are adequately met.

STANDARD 20

Staff are aware of their duty of care to give prisoners their legal rights. They know what these rights are. They accept the legitimacy and meet their obligations under it promptly.

20.1 All prisoners admitted to the prison complete an admission checklist and are issued with an admission booklet, which is available in a number of languages. This checklist provides information on how to make a request or complaint and the disciplinary system.

20.2 If they wish, prisoners are helped to contact lawyers, the Visiting Committee, Members of Parliament, the courts and the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman.

20.3 HMP Perth has a set of standard operating instructions in respect of the handling of legally privileged mail issued in June 2014 with a review date of June 2015 set. These instructions include a clear audit trail with each item of mail being date stamped. SPS Audit and Assurance Services reviewed the handling of prisoner correspondence, which included legally privileged mail, in January 2014 and gave the prison 'reasonable assurance'. HMIPS supports this finding.

20.4 Foreign prisoners spoken with confirmed that contacting their respective Consulate was not an issue, however one foreign national did state that he had had some difficulty with his Consulate visiting him in prison but this was not related to HMP Perth. This matter has since been resolved.

20.5 Untried prisoners spoken with stated that they can easily arrange visits from the respective Agents and Solicitors when preparing their legal defence.

20.6 A sample of orderly room documentation was checked and found that in all cases the adjudicator had followed the prescribed process, confirming that the prisoner had received notification of and understood the charge and was prepared to continue with the hearing. Inspectors observed orderly rooms taking place and the adjudicator present explained the process accurately and in full to each prisoner.

20.7 In the cases examined by inspectors, the adjudicator had ensured that prisoners were informed of their right to appeal any findings of guilt or punishment awarded to them.

STANDARD 21

Staff are aware of their duty to observe the Human Rights of prisoners. They know what these rights are. They accept the legitimacy of that duty and meet their obligations under it promptly.

21.1 Staff spoken with in the Link Centre and the residential halls were clear on how to access contact details of the European Court of Human Rights if a prisoner requested this information.

21.2 Equality and Diversity (E&D) meetings are held on a regular basis. Staff spoken with during the inspection were clear on who to contact to discuss any E&D‑related issues and the action to take if a prisoner raises concerns with regard to racial discrimination either informally of formally through the PCF1 system.

STANDARD 22

Staff are aware of their duty to treat prisoners in accordance with fairness and natural justice. They know what this involves. They accept the legitimacy of that duty and meet their obligations under it promptly.

22.1 A number of Internal Complaints Committees were observed during the inspection. All hearings were held in a suitable location with appropriate membership in attendance and due process and natural justice was observed to be followed.

22.2 Halls hold a number of different request books: an office request book for cash mandates, purchases and questions on liberation dates, etc; a Governor request book dealing with requests; and a reception book dealing with property checks, etc. A selection of requests examined during the inspection were answered timeously and appropriately.

22.3 It was noted that if a prisoner requests to see a Chaplain the hall staff call them directly, thus minimising any potential delay in response times. There is also a good system in place for when prisoners wish to see a member of the Visiting Committee (VC) with hall staff calling the vestibule and the request being noted in the VC book. Both these practices are positive.

22.4 A number of prisoners were observed leaving for and returning from court. In all cases prisoners were wearing their own clothing and appropriately dressed. The prison has a small stock of clothing which is issued to prisoners who have no suitable clothing of their own.

22.5 A selection of Prisoner Complaint Form PCF1 and PCF2s were reviewed with the vast majority responded to timeously. For the period April to end November 2014 there were a total of 39 PCF1s and 66 PCF2s submitted. The most common complaint received for PCF1s was property and property in use (10 in total) followed by healthcare (four). For PCF2s, the most common complaint was for health‑related issues (14), then protection (ten), followed by property (eight). When asked why there were significantly lower PCF1 to PCF2s, both staff and prisoners stated that this was because issues were generally dealt with by officers informally within the halls. This is positive.

22.6 Prisoners spoken with during the inspection process felt that the disciplinary process was used fairly and appropriately in HMP Perth.

22.7 Orderly room documentation examined confirmed that prisoners who made a guilty plea were given the opportunity to present their cases and state any mitigating circumstances. Likewise, prisoners who did not make a plea of guilt were given the opportunity to provide their version of events.

STANDARD 23

Segregation is used sparingly and in accordance with procedures.

23.1 Overall, inspectors found that HMP Perth's SRU functions well. Prisoners held there are managed appropriately and in accordance with the relevant Prison Rules and Guidance.

23.2 All records examined (both paper and electronic) were found to be fully compliant with the requirements of both law and process.

23.3 All prisoners, with the exception of one, stated they understood the reasons for them being held in the unit and that they were able to contribute to, and had sight of, their individual management plans. Staff confirmed that prisoners who were located in the unit were encouraged to attend their case conferences and to provide their own representations. All documentation examined was found to be in order and in cases where prisoners refused to attend their own case conference, the documentation was clearly marked to reflect this.

23.4 Communication between staff and prisoners in the SRU was good and inspectors observed an appropriate regime with daily access to the open air and physical exercise offered in a small gymnasium facility. Library books are available and prisoners can make regular telephone calls. Each cell has integral sanitation and prisoners have access to a shower on a daily basis.

23.5 Normal visit entitlements are in place for prisoners who are held in the SRU. All meals are taken in cell.

PART 3: Opportunities for self-improvement and access to services and activities

OUTCOME 7

Prisoners take part in activities that educate, develop skills and personal qualities and prepare them for life outside prison.

Overview

The SPS national induction programme is delivered efficiently by officers and other specialist staff.

The Personal Officer Scheme does not operate consistently and some prisoners have little understanding of how it works. There is also a lack of clarity about the role of the Personal Officer within the Integrated Case Management (ICM) process.

Prisoners subject to statutory supervision on release are dealt with efficiently under the ICM arrangements. Procedures are in place to provide prisoners not subject to supervision to be offered support on release.

Consultation meetings are held with convicted prisoners, but not for those who are on remand.

Work parties are over‑subscribed but not all places are filled and more needs to be done to optimise attendance.

Prisoners located in the Separation and Reintegration Unit and those on protection are able to participate in work and this is a positive feature. There is a good range of work parties and vocational opportunities.

Prisoners have good access to education and there is an emphasis on promoting opportunities to prisoners with the greatest need. The Learning Centre is closed on Friday afternoons which is not an efficient use of resources.

Offending behaviour programmes are delivered near to target, but in the absence of an overall needs analysis it is not clear if the needs of the population are being accurately met.

The use of substance misuse champions is innovative and has helped to strengthen links with community‑based providers.

Access to the Library is limited, particularly for remand prisoners.

The spiritual needs of prisoners are well catered for and the prison is actively involved with a wide range of faith‑based groups.

STANDARD 24

The regime of the prison encourages prisoners to make the most of their time there and to exercise responsibility.

24.1 The National Induction Programme is delivered at HMP Perth over a two day period. All new prisoners and those who have not returned to prison within six months attend the full induction and those prisoners who have returned to custody within six months attend a shorter version of the induction programme. The induction programme observed during inspection was delivered in line with SPS standards.

24.2 Additionally, staff and service providers currently visit ‘C’ Hall prisoners on a weekly basis to provide information on the services provided by the Link Centre, Job Centre Plus, Shelter/Housing, New Routes and Gymnasium. This is positive.

24.3 There is a functioning Personal Officer Scheme in place in HMP Perth albeit staff awareness and understanding of their roles and responsibilities under this scheme were variable. Personal Officers are allocated to both short and long‑term prisoners however the process for allocating Personal Officers is inconsistent across the residential halls. Some prisoners spoken with during the inspection stated they did not know who their Personal Officer was or how and when they would be allocated one. This is a weakness.

24.4 Prisoner forum meetings are held in both ‘B’ and ‘C’ Halls as well as meetings where prisoners are given the opportunity to discuss food and canteen issues. At the time of the inspection however, no such meetings were being held for untried prisoners located in ‘A’ Hall. This is a weakness.

24.5 In line with national policy, the ICM process is used for sentence planning for prisoners. Case conferences take place annually for all long‑term prisoners and short‑term statutory release order prisoners and according to the statistics examined during the inspection, annual and pre‑release ICM case conferences are completed within the necessary timescales.

24.6 At the time of the inspection, Personal Officers and prisoners spoken with believed there was a lack of clarity in the prison as to who has responsibility for sentence planning and most spoken with thought it was the responsibility of the ICM co‑ordinators and not Personal Officers. This is a weakness.

Recommendation 19: HMP Perth should ensure that the role of the Personal Officer and who has responsibility for sentence planning is clearly defined.

24.7 ICM co‑ordinators in HMP Perth track all prisoners who return to custody. Any prisoner who is not managed under statutory requirements but identified as having risks and/or needs great enough can be considered for placement on the enhanced ICM process. This is positive.

24.8 The prison is currently participating in a Community Reintegration Project (CRP) whereby short‑term prisoners from the Dundee area attend a multi‑disciplinary pre‑release meeting six weeks prior to being liberated and Community Integration Plans are put in place to assist prisoners in preparing for transition from prison to the community. At the time of the inspection, the project was still being tested and its effectiveness was unknown. HMIPS will continue to monitor this project.

STANDARD 25

A full day’s out of cell activities, such as work, education, leisure and cultural pursuits, is available for seven days of the week.

25.1 HMP Perth has a varied regime which incorporates a number of opportunities for prisoners to attend purposeful activities consisting of work, learning and recreation.

25.2 The prison’s Labour Allocation Board (LAB) allocates a work party to all convicted prisoners who are ‘fit for work’. The board gives consideration to a prisoner’s skills and previous work experience and where possible allocates prisoners to a work party of their choice. However, given that most prisoners request to be allocated to the woodshed work parties where a higher wage is paid this can be challenging for the prison.

25.3 All work parties are over‑subscribed due to the lack of available work party places in the prison (there are only 306 places available which includes 89 hall passmen places within the residential halls). Additionally, available work party places can be further reduced on occasions where members of staff working in those areas are off work due to illness or annual leave and alternative staff cover is not provided. On such occasions prisoners will not be required for work and generally located within the halls unless they attend an alternative activity.

25.4 Other activities available in the prison include Education, Physical Training (PT), Programmes, Library, ICM, Link Centre, visits, meetings with Personal Officers/social work, outside exercise, attendance at the multi‑faith centre and use of the satellite gymnasiums within the halls.

25.5 ‘C’ Hall has satellite gymnasium facilities on Levels 1, 3 and 4 with two sessions taking place in the morning, one in the afternoon and one in the evening. Prisoners are required to book these sessions 24 hours in advance however inspectors were advised that if a prisoner is informed that they are not required for work on any given day, they are not allowed to make use of the satellite gymnasium as they have not booked in advance. This means that prisoners sent back from over‑subscribed or closed work parties are generally located in the residential halls without access to alternative activities. This is a weakness.

Recommendation 20: HMP Perth should ensure opportunities for prisoners to attend the satellite gymnasiums are maximised.

25.6 There is an opportunity for prisoners who are drug free to attend an enhanced PT session prior to going to work. Prisoners spoken with felt this was worthwhile and gained benefit from attending the session. This is an area good practice.

STANDARD 26

The programme of work and related training focuses on equipping prisoners for employment on release.

26.1 The prison provides a useful programme of work and training activities which support prisoners well to develop and gain useful skills prior to their liberation. There is a good range of work parties and vocational training opportunities, some of which offer appropriate introductory qualifications. Vocational training work parties, which result in prisoners gaining elementary qualifications, include: brickwork; painting and decorating; plumbing; hairdressing; and bicycle repair and maintenance. Other work parties, such as laundry, industrial cleaning, waste management and grounds maintenance, catering and wood production workshops, provide purposeful activities. Prisoners who are located within the SRU or those that are held in a protection regime have the opportunity to undertake activities within the textiles work party. This is positive.

26.2 Vocational training and work party units are well-equipped to industry standards and appropriate health and safety procedures are observed in most areas.

26.3 However, in many workshops there is insufficient work duties for the number of prisoners allocated to the work party. This results in prisoners not being fully occupied during their periods of work. In addition, prisoners housed in ‘B’ Hall (approximately 165) are only allowed to attend work parties for half of the week and these prisoners are disadvantaged compared to those prisoners housed in ‘C’ Hall who can attend work parties for the full week. Overall, prisoner attendance at work parties sits at around 71% and there remains some headroom for improvement. In vocational areas with a single instructor, classes are regularly cancelled when the officer is absent due to sickness or annual leave. When this occurs, prisoners remain in their cells. This is a weakness.

Recommendation 21: HMP Perth should ensure that opportunities for prisoners to engage in purposeful activity are maximised.

26.4 Prisoners on a number of programmes are enrolled for certificated awards, such as Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) National Progression Awards and Velotech certificates. In the last 12 months, prisoners have successfully gained a total of 662 units across six vocational areas. However, most vocational programmes are offered at an introductory level and there are limited opportunities for prisoners to progress to more advanced, employability‑related awards. This is a weakness.

Recommendation 22: Fife College should ensure that the qualifications offered to prisoners allow for progression to more advanced, employability‑related awards.

26.5 Prison staff support prisoners well in the development of basic numeracy skills during delivery of vocational skills training. In a few work parties, teaching staff from the Learning Centre work alongside prisoners and support the development and improvement of prisoner literacy and numeracy skills. This is positive.

STANDARD 27

A broad and relevant education programme is available.

27.1 Education programmes are delivered on behalf of HMP Perth by Fife College and are delivered in the College’s Learning Centre within the prison. The current education contract requires active promotion and targeting of learning opportunities to prisoners who have the greatest need to improve their literacy or numeracy skills. Teaching staff actively promote this approach during induction, through completion by prisoners, of the Big Plus Challenge initial assessment. This approach helps identify prisoners’ literacy and numeracy skills and informs educational options. Monthly Prisoner Learning Hours (PLHs) have varied over the current session, from a low of 1,991 PLHs in October 2014 to a high of 2,455 PLHs in September 2014. It was reported that approximately one‑third of the prisoner population attend education programmes weekly. Overall, the contract requirement to identify and support literacy and numeracy improvement for the most needy prisoner population is being fulfilled. Prisoners, including those on remand, have good access to education and learning activities. This is positive.

27.2 The Learning Centre employs a full‑time Learning Assistant who ensures regular updates of learning opportunities are promoted effectively through posting of posters and leaflets on noticeboards within residential halls. The Learning Assistant attends prisoner induction sessions and acts as an informal contact point with SPS staff and prisoners and signposts learning opportunities. This is positive.

27.3 Classrooms and vocational workrooms are located on the ground floor of the prison, adjacent to vocational workshops. They are bright, clustered closely together and reasonably well‑equipped. Overall, the Learning Centre has a positive climate for learning and educational activities. It contains a computer suite, an independent training kitchen, four general purpose classrooms and an art room. There is an additional small learning centre located in ‘A’ Hall which is used by remand prisoners to improve their literacy or numeracy. Almost all prisoners who attend educational programmes do so on a part‑time basis, attending on average between two or three sessions per week.

27.4 Prisoners benefit from a wide range of learning activities. These include: Art; Communication; Numeracy and Mathematics; Computing; Spanish; English for Speakers of Other Languages; and Cooking for Independent Living. Additionally, guitar tuition is delivered by a peer tutor to other prisoners. Most programmes provide progression opportunities and can result in SQA or internally devised certification. Through Fife College’s Moodle for Offender Learning, prisoners undertake a range of IT programmes completing health and safety units, photography and a range of other topical learning programmes. Upon successful completion of some units, prisoners can receive a bonus payment. This approach motivates them to continue with their learning. Currently, at the time of inspection, there are no waiting lists for education programmes. Overall, this is positive.

27.5 Learning programmes are provided for prisoners throughout the week except Friday afternoons when the Learning Centre is closed. This arrangement impacts negatively on prisoner engagement with education provision and is an ineffective use of resources. This is a weakness.

27.6 The Learning Centre has a capacity for 30 prisoners to attend programmes. However, on average, attendance rates are at approximately 20 prisoners for each session. As a result, fewer prisoners than planned benefit from learning activities to improve their educational standing and attain qualifications. Learning Centre staff attribute variable attendance patterns to issues such as attendance at exercise activities; court appearances; illness; or prisoner appointments with other external agency personnel. This is a weakness.

27.7 Education staff work collaboratively together and have developed good working relationships with prisoners attending education programmes. They know their vocational subjects well, have attained teaching qualifications, and work co‑operatively together to improve provision. During teaching sessions they engage prisoners positively in learning activities. They often tailor discussions held during lessons to suit the needs and interests of individual prisoners. They provide sensitive support and encouragement and this approach is valued by prisoners and motivates them to continue with their learning. This is positive.

27.8 Education staff have developed good partnership arrangements with a range of external partners including Perth & Kinross Adult Literacy and Numeracy Partnership and Perth & Kinross Youth Services. Prisoners’ understanding of historical events is enhanced through recent promotion by Learning Centre staff of World War I commemorative events.

27.9 A recently introduced three week Preparation for Liberation project, supports prisoners well to prepare for release. Activities introduced include: managing your money; independent living skills; Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS) certification; and a range of other appropriate activities. This is positive.

27.10 Prisoners who attend vocational, production or education programmes receive sessional payments and a weekly attendance bonus payment. In addition, prisoners working in production worksheds are entitled to a production bonus payment. Some prisoners view this arrangement as a disincentive to attend more educational programmes. This is a weakness.

27.11 During the full inspection, inspectors could not find evidence of details of the prisoners’ Wage Earnings Policy being made available on any of the noticeboards located within work parties. Staff spoken with advised that the wages policy had been displayed in the past however prisoners would remove the notices for their own records. This is a weakness.

Recommendation 23: The prisoners’ Wage Earnings Policy should be clearly displayed in all work party areas within the prison.

27.12 There are opportunities for prisoners to benefit from creativity and self‑development during attendance on education programmes however these opportunities are insufficient for the prison’s population. A few prisoners attend guitar tuition sessions delivered by a peer tutor but due to resource restrictions, numbers able to attend are low.

27.13 Prisoners who attend Art Sessions are able to benefit from discussing their paintings with the art therapy tutor. This helps support development of communication skills and expression of empathy and feeling. This is positive.

27.14 Sixteen prisoners are currently undertaking open learning programmes developed by other colleges. They benefit from fee‑waiver entitlement which supports them to access this provision. Staff from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland support prisoners to devise, develop and perform an original piece of theatre to fellow prisoners and an invited external audience.

27.15 Generally, prisoner transfers only take place when the prison is reaching its maximum accommodation capacity. Vocational staff can request individual prisoners remain held at HMP Perth where they perform particularly helpful roles such as a Peer Tutor within education or vocational programmes. On most occasions these requests are complied with.

27.16 Education classes are rarely cancelled. On occasions where transfers are unavoidable prisoners are appropriately informed in advance.

27.17 All prisoners are given appropriate opportunities to take part in a range of physical education activities and many benefit from access to good quality indoor and outdoor facilities. The main gymnasium is well‑equipped with a suitable range of exercise and training equipment. An indoor games hall is used regularly by prisoners for activities such as badminton, short‑tennis, circuit training and aerobic classes. Prisoners also make good use of the outdoor all‑weather football pitch. The gymnasium, games hall and outdoor football facilities are also available for use by prisoners in the evening and at weekends. All prisoners complete an appropriate induction programme prior to commencing use of the gymnasium’s fitness equipment. Passmen contribute to the delivery of gym awareness sessions to new prisoners conducted alongside prison service staff. Each of the residential halls has a small satellite gym for prisoners to use throughput the week. This is positive.

27.18 An ‘enhanced PT‘ class is attended by approximately 30 prisoners every weekday morning before work parties begin. To be eligible for this provision, prisoners must satisfy minimum criteria, ie evidence that they can maintain a drug‑free lifestyle and that they are willing to attend the class regularly. The class is very popular with prisoners and a waiting list was in existence at the time of the full inspection. Prison staff also offer Heart‑start courses and have held classes relating to raising awareness on the use of anabolic steroids. Staff have also introduced more targeted age and ability classes, such as fitness sessions for the over 40s. This approach helps support and improve the overall fitness levels of the prisoner population. A ‘Football Fans in Training’ programme is also being run and research staff from the University of Glasgow have assisted in developing the programme for use with prisoners. It incorporates a programme of healthy diet, exercise and weight loss. Prison staff have benefited from tailored support and training provided by the university to deliver the programme. This is positive.

27.19 Some prisoners have also successfully completed a Community Sports Leaders award. This equips prisoners with the skills required to lead groups safely when undertaking sporting and recreational activities. The award encourages participants to take responsibility for others, develops organisational and communication skills and instils confidence in prisoners for whom leading groups in sporting activities is a new experience. This is positive.

STANDARD 28

A range of interventions is in place to encourage prisoners to address those behaviours which may contribute to their offending.

28.1 Referrals for a Generic Programmes Assessment (GPA) to be conducted to establish offending behaviour needs are made in various ways via the initial ICM case conference, by staff working in the Link Centre or by a prisoner’s Personal Officer. Individuals who have received a GPA are discussed by a Programmes Case Management Board (PCMB) at which point agreement is reached on a prisoner’s requirement to engage in offending behaviour focused work.

28.2 The Risk Management Team (RMT) holds monthly meetings to assess prisoners for progression to less secure conditions or to discuss prisoners presenting a concern in relation to the levels of risk they present. During the inspection, inspectors observed good levels of multi‑disciplinary attendance at the RMT with acceptable levels of discussion and information sharing taking place. Whilst this was positive the decisions made about prisoners were not always clear and the Inspector left the meeting unsure about next steps/course of action. This is a weakness.

28.3 The prison deliver regular offender behaviour programmes and prisoners are allocated a space on programmes in a clear and consistent manner. There are three programme options available: Constructs, Substance Related Offending Behaviour Programme, and CARE. The limited range of programmes and the change in prisoner population (increasing short‑term prisoners) is making it challenging to effectively address offending related behaviours. Staff working in the programmes team recognise the need to have more adapted short‑term ‘modular’ type programmes. Additionally, there are no domestic violence related programmes or activities in place which is a significant deficit. This is a weakness.

28.4 The Programmes Team are delivering near to targets set however there is a wider issue as to whether the target set is the most accurate in relation to (a) the prison population profile of increasing short‑term prisoners, and (b) whether the range of programmes available is accurately meeting need. A strategic needs assessment of the population may help better inform what targets are set against what needs to be delivered.

Recommendation 24: HMP Perth should ensure that offending behaviour interventions meet the needs of the prisoner population held within the prison.

28.5 At the time of the full inspection, HMP Perth was conducting a pilot of the use of substance misuse champions (including some ex‑offenders) within the context of offending behaviour interventions. This is an innovative project and has encouraged links between local community substance misuse agencies and the prison, to allow offenders greater access to services. This is an area of good practice.

28.6 Those prisoners who were involved in completing programmes were able to acknowledge the merits of such programmes. However both short and long‑term prisoners spoken with spoke of competing issues they believed were barriers to attending programmes for offending related behaviours. Prisoners stated that it was their belief that any potential to progress to HMP Castle Huntly or to be approved for Home Detention Curfew (HDC) would be delayed if they were involved in programmes. Some spoke of being assessed for programmes but then upon finding out this would delay progression they would not start or complete programmes. This appears to be presenting a systematic barrier to suitable prisoners undertaking programmed work. This is a weakness.

28.7 Core assessments were completed by Link Centre staff with prisoners and these were helpfully identifying needs and risks. Referrals were then made to the appropriate service following agreement by the prisoner. Similarly those eligible for the CRP discussed needs and risks with their Personal Officer and were referred to services. This was supported by contact by Criminal Justice Social Work staff who were involved in linking support back in the community.

STANDARD 29

There is a programme of cultural and voluntary activities.

29.1 Prisoners can purchase newspapers on a daily basis through completion of the appropriate requisition form. Additionally, newspapers are made available to prisoners receiving haircuts in the barbering salon. Television sets in cells are programmed to receive a broadcast news channel. Prisoners can also purchase radios through completion of the appropriate purchase form. Where radios are played in public areas such as a vocational workshed, Performing Rights Society licence payments have been secured. This is positive.

29.2 The Library contains a good stock of books designed to appeal to the interests of the prison population. Books include: historical fiction; self‑help texts; project research; Scottish history; classic fiction, and graphically illustrated fiction. The Library also contains a copy of the Prison Rules and a good range of topical magazines, large print text for reluctant readers and books in a range of foreign languages to interest prisoners from other nationalities. The Library is managed by a qualified librarian from Perth and Kinross Council. She has worked in this role for several years and is well‑known and valued for her knowledge and expertise by both staff and prisoners. Where requested books are not readily available, she makes enquiries and often secures copies from other libraries within the county. Comprehensive prisoner borrowing records are maintained and show that there are approximately 7,000 book borrowings made each year with approximately 20% from outwith the prison’s own library stock. However, at the time of inspection, untried prisoners did not benefit from allocated times for library attendance. This is a weakness.

Recommendation 25: HMP Perth should ensure that untried prisoners have access to the library services.

29.3 The Library promotes effectively a range of topical themed activities through prominently positioned promotional displays. This is positive. However, the Library opening hours are restricted being limited to opening for three two‑hour sessions each week. There is no access to library services or provision of education programmes during evenings or at weekends. This is a weakness.

29.4 Prisoners have access, on a rotational basis, to the gymnasium during evenings and at weekends. Prisoners make use of limited exercise and recreational facilities including use of pool tables located in their hall during evenings and weekends.

29.5 Prisoners carry out the role of Peer Tutors, Listeners and Recovery Champions within the prison. Peer Tutors receive a wage for carrying out this role during the working day however they will also engage with prisoner’s outwith working hours. Listeners make themselves available to other prisoners as and when required.

STANDARD 30

Opportunities to practise their religion are available to all prisoners.

30.1 The Multi‑Faith Centre is well‑appointed, modern in look and fit for purpose, with both large and smaller worship rooms and a Wudu. The Chaplaincy Team work ecumenically as required and consist of representatives of the Church of Scotland, Roman Catholic and Muslim faiths. Other representatives attend when necessary, with recent visits from Buddhists, the Russian Orthodox Church and the Humanist Society. Prison Fellowship hold weekly bible study groups on a Tuesday afternoon. Chaplaincy regularly visit the halls and issue a diary provided by the Day One Christian Ministries to those prisoners in the FNC who wish it.

30.2 Church of Scotland services are held at 09:45 on a Sunday with the Roman Catholic service held at 9:00, attendance averages 20 and 12 respectively. Muslim prayers are held on Monday at 14:30 with an average of four prisoners attending. Christian protection prisoners have a separate service held on Friday afternoons with around four prisoners attending.

30.3 At the time of inspection the highest number of foreign prisoners in HMP Perth were Polish (six out of 16). The Chaplaincy Team have met this need by having the litany for the Roman Catholic service translated into Polish. This is positive.

30.4 During Prisoners Week held in November 2014 prayers written by prisoners held in HMP Perth were used during the services and in a local Church of Scotland parish church. The Chaplaincy Team has good links with community groups, these include the Visitor Centre run by CrossReach. A number of organisations regularly visit the prison to explain what they do and can offer. These have included Tough Talk, Street Pastors, Nosh at the North (which provide free meals for the homeless) and Quiet Waters run by Trinity Church of the Nazarene, Perth who provide the opportunity for ex‑prisoners to undertake window cleaning work on a voluntary basis.

STANDARD 31

Suitable arrangements to enable prisoners to buy a range of personal and other items that meet prisoners’ needs are in place and available and accessible as necessary.

31.1 The canteen is a modern facility with a monorail system of hanging baskets used by staff to fulfil orders. An epos system is now in operation which went live in June/July 2014 and allows prisoners to check their delivery prior to opening their order and for management supports stock control. Canteen is on offer to convicted prisoners once per week and untried prisoners, twice per week. The canteen order sheet has a note of the Samaritans telephone number and a message intended to encourage family attendance at ICM Case Conferences. This is positive. Unlike some prisons, however, the prison does not identify items that are suitable for special dietary needs. This is a weakness.

31.2 There is a range of goods available at reasonable prices and a system in place for ordering sundry items. Fruit and vegetables are sourced locally and were found to be of good quality. At the time of inspection a range of Christmas cards were on offer ranging from 99 pence to £1.99.

OUTCOME 8

Healthcare is provided to the same standards as in the community outside prison, available in response to need, with a full range of preventative services, promoting continuity with health services outside prison.

Overview

There are no undue delays in prisoners accessing healthcare services although some improvements are required to the referral process.

Healthcare staff dispense medication safely and efficiently but this is a time consuming process and impacts adversely on the daily regime. Improvements require to be made to the Pharmacy Room and the way in which controlled drugs are stored.

The arrangements to determine if prisoners are fit to work or not are not efficient and need to be reviewed.

Where prisoners are transferred from another prison their healthcare records do not always follow and this reduces efficiency.

During the inspection the electronic system for holding medical records was not working and this has the potential to make reaching clinical decisions more time‑consuming.

Healthcare provision for prisoners with chronic/long‑term conditions is not adequate. The capacity for healthcare staff to deliver therapeutic interventions is also limited. There is no clinical psychology input available.

Weekly peer support has been introduced for prisoners with substance misuse problems. This is a positive initiative.

Promising work is also being carried out by the Scottish Recovery Consortium for those recovering from alcohol and substance misuse problems.

The arrangements to ensure that prisoners who require Methadone on release are inconsistent and need to be improved.

The Healthcare Team should ensure that they provide a discharge letter routinely to the community‑based GP.

STANDARD 32

Health services of a high quality are available to all who need them.

32.1 Prisoners access health services primarily via a self‑referral system. Referral forms have to be requested from officers within the halls. This is a weakness.

Recommendation 26: NHS Tayside should ensure that healthcare referral forms are freely available within the residential halls.

32.2 Completed forms are placed in a secure referral box positioned in each of the halls which can only be accessed by healthcare staff. The forms are collected each evening by nursing staff and triaged the next morning by a member of healthcare administration. Clinics are then scheduled by way of clinical priority.

32.3 Signage on healthcare secure referral boxes is inconsistent across the residential halls with some boxes clearly labelled and others with no markings. This may cause confusion for prisoners especially if they are relocated in a different hall. This is a weakness.

Recommendation 27: NHS Tayside should ensure all prisoner medical referral form boxes are clearly and consistently labelled within each residential hall.

32.4 At the time of the full inspection healthcare managers acknowledged that there were no Standard Operating Procedures in place for the triage process and that one was currently being developed. HMIPS will monitor this.

32.5 At the time of the inspection there was no undue delay in accessing health services. Waiting times vary depending on capacity of healthcare and volume of demand however most prisoners are seen within the following timeframes:

waiting times for routine GP appointments are approximately four days;

waiting times for primary care services, are also approximately four days for a general appointment. Urgent cases are seen same day or immediately when required;

the Mental Health Team has next day availability for urgent and new referrals. Routine appointments are as required;

the Substance Misuse Team see prisoners the day following admission or on a Monday if admission is on a Saturday;

dental services are provided five sessions per two weeks with the current waiting time for routine appointments being approximately eight working days. Emergency cases are prioritised. Prisoners spoken with during the inspection stated dental services are good and well‑regarded; and

a ¹/₂ day Podiatrist clinic takes place one per month with an Optometrist providing two full day clinics per month. The Podiatrist currently has an eight week waiting list.

32.6 In the event of an urgent or emergency situation, healthcare staff are alerted by radio and response is immediate. Outwith the hours of the standing service there is provision of an on‑call GP through Ninewells Hospital and access to emergency services are via a 999 call.

32.7 Inspectors attended a clinical handover meeting where the issue of emergency response packs was raised. When staff had attended a medical emergency, it was reported that some items from the stock list were missing, having not being replaced after previous use. This issue was addressed openly and immediately with clear direction reiterated for the use of emergency apparatus and protocol for ensuring the emergency packs are appropriately stocked and checked. This is positive.

32.8 There are systemic challenges within the establishment that negatively impact on both access to healthcare and the operational regimes. A major concern is the daily process of medication dispensing. A recent review supported by healthcare staff activity tracking shows that approximately 27 hours of healthcare professionals time is used to dispense medication on a daily basis. There is a high volume of prisoners prescribed Methadone (statistical snapshot – 191 on 24 November 2014 (30% of the total population); an average of 241 daily over the month of November 2014 (38% of the total population). This in its self has implications on the amount of time that healthcare staff require to safely and accurately dispense medication.

32.9 Healthcare staff dispensing medication from hall‑based clinical rooms was observed. Staff were vigilant, professional and accurate in their activity. They worked efficiently and engaged well with each patient at point of delivery. This is positive. There is no capacity to speed up this part of the process. This is due to multiple dispensing sites to accommodate all residential halls. There was found to be in some instances a misalignment of regimes, ie activities such as programmes, access to physical education and recreation, clash with medication dispensing times. In effect, this results in duplication of activity, prisoners being escorted to the Health Centre and staff having to provide additional dispensing time. NHS staff, operational staff and prisoners spoken with during the inspection agreed that to a great extent, the entire prison regime appears to be based around medication dispensing. This is a weakness.

Recommendation 28: NHS Tayside and HMP Perth should ensure arrangements for the dispensing of medication does not impact disproportionality on the regime.

32.10 During the full inspection, inspectors were informed that a formal proposal has been lodged with NHS Tayside Executive Management Team for funding to establish a multi‑disciplinary medication review team. The intention is that the team will review the clinical arrangements for each prisoner who is currently receiving substitute prescribed or supervised medications. HMIPS will monitor progress with this proposal.

32.11 Four additional healthcare workers have been recruited and will undertake medication ‘competent witness’ training to support medication dispensing. This will free nurses to attend to other duties.

32.12 The Health Centre has one pharmacy technician, one assistant and one pharmacy technician vacancy. This staffing shortfall resulted in a negative impact on available clinical nursing time as nurses were having to undertake tasks such as weekly medication checks.

32.13 There is a dedicated room for pharmacy storage and preparation within the Health Centre. Unfortunately the room has limited storage for medication and the work surfaces are inadequate. This is a weakness.

32.14 Inspectors observed the daily regime of preparing for medication dispensing in the halls. This included observation of the way in which the pharmacy storage and preparation room operated in practice. The room is cramped with too many people working in the same space and as a result the process for calculating and checking medication is confused. Additionally, large quantities of controlled drugs are also checked at this time. This is stressful for staff and risk laden. This is a weakness.

Recommendation 29: NHS Tayside should ensure that the Pharmacy Room is fit‑for‑purpose and there is an appropriate system of work in place.

32.15 During the inspection there was an incident where the controlled drugs check showed a deficit. Staff traced the drugs and acknowledged they were present and correct. It transpired that the deficit amounts were within the pharmacy area but stored in a non‑locked cupboard due to there being insufficient space available in the controlled drug cupboards. This is a weakness.

Recommendation 30: NHS Tayside should ensure that controlled drugs are stored appropriately and staff are aware of their responsibilities in respect of these.

32.16 The Substance Misuse Team is available Monday‑Friday and comprises nursing staff and caseworkers. All new admissions are seen by case workers for assessment.

32.17 There are 11 new nurses in the Healthcare Team. Additionally, the Head of Nursing is relatively new as is the post. The majority of new staff have not worked within a prison environment before and are developing into their roles. Two Band 5 nurses have been promoted to Acting Band 6 and now provide co‑ordination and leadership to staff on shift. This has been newly implemented and will be monitored for effectiveness.

32.18 Protocols and Standard Operating Procedures are being put in place to improve all aspects of health care systems and processes.

32.19 Prisoners with chronic health problems are seen only through ad hoc arrangements. A register to identify prisoners who have chronic health care needs is not used and there is no data collected in relation to this population. This is a weakness although the Head of Nursing advised inspectors that there are plans to implement a clinic for prisoners with enduring needs. HMIPS will monitor this.

32.20 If a prisoner requests absence from work as a consequence of ill health, he is required to be seen by a healthcare professional. The current process is such that every prisoner who claims to be unfit for work due to illness will require to be taken to the Health Centre for assessment. Due to the high numbers of prisoners who state they are unfit for work, this process can be lengthy and often results in long delays which hold up other aspects of the prison regime. Inspectors observed this process during the inspection and on one occasion a total of 12 prisoners were assessed as ‘fit for work’ and returned to their residential hall. Some staff and prisoners spoken with believe that the current process appears to be used by some prisoners to subvert the normal referral process or to miss work without cause. This is a weakness.

Recommendation 31: NHS Tayside in conjunction with HMP Perth should review the process for reporting absent for work through ill health.

32.21 Although the Health Centre facility is modern and well‑equipped, there are often occasions where there are not enough clinical rooms available to be used despite availability of staff. This is a weakness.

Recommendation 32: NHS Tayside should ensure that the Health Centre is used efficiently.

32.22 At time of inspection there was limited access to prisoners’ community healthcare information. There was no access to the primary care based Emergency Care Summary or Multi‑Disciplinary Information System which is currently used within NHS Tayside secondary care setting.

32.23 In the event of a prisoner being transferred from another establishment, healthcare records should accompany the prisoner. This does not always happen which impedes clinical consideration and leads to increased administration time in chasing information.

Recommendation 33: SPS and NHS should ensure healthcare records transfer at the same time as the prisoner.

32.24 Healthcare professionals are not informed and receive no information about a prisoner from the hospital about any intervention, treatment or follow-up needs that may be required following a visit. This is a weakness.

Recommendation 34: NHS Tayside should ensure that appropriate clinical information is relayed timeously to the prison based health team with regard to any NHS healthcare delivered out with the establishment.

32.25 Medical records are maintained in both paper based and electronic format. Electronic health records are entered on the national NHS system, Vision. Access to the system is restricted to healthcare professionals. Records are transported between establishments in sealed bags but this does not happen with consistency.

32.26 Prisoners sign consent to allow information to be obtained from the community and also for information to be provided to officers when deemed necessary in relation to health related issues.

32.27 At the time of inspection the medical records electronic storage system ‘Randex’ was out of commission. This was reported to have been broken for approximately four weeks. The consequence of this is that medical records held within the system could not be accessed and that the on-going accumulation of new records could not be filed. This limited information that healthcare professionals could access increased risk to the ‘patient’ as there was no historic data to inform clinical decisions. There was also a burden being placed on health administration staff with a noticeable backlog of records and health‑related documents accumulating within the Health Centre. This issue resulted in health records being stored in an open area and not in a locked facility thus in breach of the Records Management: NHS Code of Practice 2012. It is acknowledged that HMP Perth is aware of this issue and is considering how to resolve the matter. This is a weakness.

Recommendation 35: NHS Tayside should ensure that it complies with the Records Management: NHS Code of Practice 2012.

32.28 During the inspection senior healthcare staff reported that in the main, there are no major issues in arranging transfer to more appropriate settings when a prisoner experiences serious mental ill health. However healthcare staff did report that there are issues in facilitating transfer to local medium secure facilities and Intensive Psychiatric Care Units in other Board areas. This is a concern. HMIPS will monitor this.

32.29 The Healthcare Management Team acknowledge that the skills and capacity to provide care to those with chronic/long‑term conditions such as diabetes, asthma and cardiac complaints is inadequate at times. This is largely attributed to the overarching demands placed on healthcare staff. This is a weakness.

32.30 Mental health services are provided in the prison and whilst there are currently no lengthy waiting lists for prisoners waiting to be assessed, the team’s capacity to deliver on-going therapeutic interventions can be limited particularly when the nurses are asked to take part in other duties such as medication issue round the residential halls. This is a weakness.

32.31 There is psychiatrist provision available for two sessions per week. Nursing staff report that officers will seek advice or make a referral if they have concerns for a prisoner’s mental health.

32.32 There is no clinical psychologist available to provide interventions. There is also a proposal to commence Cognitive Behavioural Therapy online; however this requires supervision frameworks supported by psychology which is also not currently available. This is a weakness.

Recommendation 36: NHS Tayside should ensure that there is adequate provision of clinical psychology services.

32.33 A dedicated Blood Borne Virus (BBV) public health nurse has been introduced to the establishment and visits three days per week. The intention is to develop the role further in order to improve BBV testing, flu immunisation and Hepatitis B/C treatment programme. This role also includes the establishment of a sexual health clinic. HMIPS will monitor this.

STANDARD 33

Addictions are dealt with the way most likely to be effective and when they conflict, treatment takes priority over security measures as far as possible.

33.1 There is a range of activities and interventions to help prisoners address issues with substance misuse. The Substance Misuse Healthcare Team consists of a team leader, two addiction nurses (plus one currently on maternity leave and one vacancy), a senior case worker and five case workers. A GP provides sessions one day per week and a resident specialist doctor provides support four hours per week.

33.2 The substance misuse case workers review all completed prisoner admission health assessments to identify prisoners who may require additional support. An admission screening tool is used to determine what substance is being used and provides a guide as to what prescribed treatments are appropriate. The tool also helps identify if there are any current illicit substance use behaviours and related physical health issues such as BBV and abscesses. The outcome of this assessment determines if further, more in‑depth assessment is required by a substance misuse nurse. This process informs care decisions such as potential for substitute prescribing such as Methadone treatment management, recovery promotion and alcohol detoxification.

33.3 Prisoners are also able to self‑refer at any time to the substance misuse service.

33.4 A Recovery Café has been implemented each Friday and offers the opportunity for prisoners and staff to meet in a relaxed atmosphere and receive peer support. This has been well received. This is an area of good practice.

33.5 There is an Addictions Recovery College run by the Scottish Recovery Consortium focussing on personal development. This approach is facilitated every Monday in‑house and offers a structured course for those recovering from alcohol and substance misuse.

33.6 This Recovery College is the first of its type within a prison in Scotland. The Scottish Recovery Consortium, supported by SPS and NHS Addictions Service, has enrolled 12 prisoners and two staff members in the 13 week college course taking place inside HMP Perth. The course aims to build long‑term recovery from addiction inside the prison by increasing the students’ knowledge and providing them with tools to manage their addiction. The programme includes ‘STEPS to Excellence’, using the Scottish Recovery Workbook. It is hoped that the NHS and SPS staff will be able to run their own ‘Recovery from Addiction’ programme within the prison in the future. This is positive. HMIPS will monitor progress in this area of development.

33.7 Addictions interventions include one‑to‑one interventions and counselling, group work and structured programmes such as the Recovery College and harm reduction are provided.

33.8 BBV screening is offered on admission and prisoners have the opportunity to be tested at any time. A Hepatitis B immunisation programme is in place and there is the opportunity for prisoners to enter into the Hepatitis C treatment programme if they meet the medical requirements.

33.9 Prisoners are offered Naloxone training but uptake has been poor for the group sessions and these are now provided on a one‑to‑ one basis. Prisoners who have completed the training are provided with a Naloxone pack upon release.

33.10 There are a number of mechanisms in place to support prisoners on their release in relation to addictions. When a prisoner is released and they are prescribed methadone, a community prescriber is identified for them – in Tayside this is usually Tayside substance misuse service; an NHS Tayside facility which provides assessment and treatment for individuals experiencing alcohol and drug dependency issues.

33.11 Prisoners are also directed to the Albert Street Hub which is a new service with a focus on released prisoners. The Hub model aims to provide a one‑stop drop‑in facility providing multi‑agency input including health, social work, housing, addictions and welfare benefits advice. There are current issues for substitute prescribing at Albert Street Hub in Dundee. Staff stated that the prescribing service is available on Wednesdays only. Prisoners who are released on other days of the week and who arrive at the Hub are unable to receive their prescription. This potentially increases risk to prisoners who may seek illicit substances in the interim. Although the Hub model is a positive initiative, this is a weakness.

33.12 There is no formal protocol in place to ensure prisoners are appropriately referred and prescribed Methadone on release. This is a weakness.

Recommendation 37: NHS Tayside should ensure that where appropriate prisoners are referred and prescribed Methadone on release.

33.13 The Healthcare Team do not provide a discharge letter to the community‑based GP. The rationale given by staff is that GPs often suspend patients from their lists that are in prison. This is a weakness.

Recommendation 38: NHS Tayside should ensure that prisoners’ community‑based GPs are notified of their liberation, relevant health information and details of prescribed medication are provided as appropriate.

33.14 Alcoholics Anonymous provide weekly sessions. Currently Narcotics Anonymous are not providing a service, although this is under review.

33.15 Harm reduction sessions are available for all newly admitted prisoners identified with addiction issues. These are available as group or individual sessions depending on need and demand. For prisoners who are due to be released an enhanced harm reduction session is also available which provides information and education to prisoners on areas such as tolerance, overdose risk post‑release, needle exchange and information on Naloxone.

33.16 A four week plan is implemented for prisoners who are not conforming to prescribed arrangement for substitute medication. This plan includes additional drug testing and a tacit agreement that continued non‑compliance will result in a suspension of prescription. There is no documentation or protocol in relation to this. This is a weakness.

Recommendation 39: NHS Tayside should ensure that procedures used in relation to prisoners who do not conform to prescribed substitute medication arrangements are formally documented.

33.17 During inspection, staff spoken with were very positive about their roles and a good level of morale was evident. Staff attributed this to improved management structures and a philosophy of openness with focus on quality improvement supported by improved systems of clinical governance. The introduction of protected learning times being an example of supportive practice for healthcare professionals.

33.18 Inspectors also observed good working relationships between the NHS and SPS at local level despite frustrations and challenges caused by misaligned systems of working.

33.19 It is evident that NHS Tayside has a quality improvement focus on the delivery of healthcare. There are processes and systems in place to collect data on performance and health‑related activity which is essential in further reviewing and developing services in a prioritised manner. There is evidence of applied improvement science including data capture, analysis and the production of statistical run charts that are made available to clinicians. Tests of change are also applied. This is an area of good practice.

OUTCOME 9

Appropriate steps are taken to ensure that prisoners are integrated safely into the community and where possible into a situation less likely to lead to further crime.

Overview

Prisoners receive wide‑ranging and effective pre‑release support from specialist staff.

The arrangements for Multi‑Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) are good and there are decent links between the prison and the police.

Pre‑release risk assessments are generally thorough, although some of the recording in this area requires to be improved.

The Community Reintegration Project designed to support short‑term prisoners, is poorly promoted.

Prison staff collaborate well with community‑based colleagues in relation to resettlement and most prisoners are able to get the support they need.

Not all prisoners spoken with understood how the progression system worked and the information they are provided with requires to be clearer.

STANDARD 34

The prison has a policy on links with families and with the local community and allocates staff time to implement it.

34.1 HMP Perth delivers a Pre‑Release Life Skills Programme over a three‑week period which is co‑delivered by Link Centre and Fife College staff. There is further input from specialists and other service providers. The programme provides skills and information in Employability, Money Management, Job Club, Tenancy, Energy Usage, Fire Safety, Relationships, Health Promotion and Cooking Skills, this course is popular with the prisoners. This is an area of good practice.

34.2 The prison has engaged with a range of partner agencies from the local community who regularly attend the prison and offer services to the prisoners to support their reintegration into their community. These include:

Families Outside

Barnardo’s Scotland

CrossReach

Job Centre Plus

Tayside & Fife Housing Protocol -Perth, Dundee, Angus, Fife

Criminal Justice Teams from Dundee, Perth Fife

Alcoholics Anonymous

Gamblers Anonymous

Insight Counselling Services

Citizens Advice Bureau

Tayside Pathways Protocols

Dundee Community Reintegration Project

Independent Advocacy

Careers Scotland

34.3 There are also links with local schools where students visit the prison as part of their studies, and teachers as part of their continuous professional development.

34.4 HMP Perth receives a number of requests from charitable organisations, school, hospitals and hospices for prisoners to make various items including garden furniture, planters, etc. This has beneficial links with the community and prisoners spoken with feel they are paying something back to the community.

HOME DETENTION CURFEW (HDC)

34.5 Dedicated staff are in place to assess prisoners for suitability for access to the HDC Scheme and staff spoken with demonstrated a good level of understanding of the HDC process. Paperwork examined by inspectors was completed appropriately and within laid down timescales. Managers also demonstrated a good understanding of their role in the HDC process however recent changes to the management team has resulted in a fewer managers being suitably trained to sign off risk assessments and liberations. This is a weakness.

Recommendation 40: HMP Perth should ensure that adequate numbers of managers are trained to sign‑off risk assessments and liberations.

STANDARD 35

Arrangements are made for prisoners to leave with somewhere appropriate to live, healthcare, continuity assured, a chance to find work and build social links.

35.1 HMP Perth has appropriate and standardised MAPPA processes in place and has built good working relationships with the police offender management units in the relevant areas. This is positive.

35.2 LSCMI risk assessments are completed as are the pre‑release ICM and/or RMT stage in accordance with national standards and procedures. These are disseminated appropriately within the ICM documentation and in the RMT minutes. These are also completed in a timely manner, along with Lifer Liaison Officer reports for the Parole Board consideration for long‑term prisoners subject to the parole process.

35.3 RMT paperwork is raised by Personal Officers and then the body of text is updated by ICM Co‑ordinators and available to all the RMT prior to the meeting. The RMT has appropriate representation from all areas of the senior management team within the prison and wider multi‑disciplinary team, eg social work and NHS.

35.4 Order for Lifelong Restriction (OLR) prisoners are appropriately case managed and legislative paperwork is compiled, recorded and submitted in a timely manner with the Risk Management Authority. Cases are discussed in a timely manner with the RMT, but could be more clearly documented, for example in the case of non‑progression discussion cases (eg return to closed conditions, OLR risk management and difficult offender cases). This is a weakness.

35.5 The prison has formal links with local authority and other voluntary and statutory services dealing with prisoners on release.

35.6 Good support services were in place through New Routes, Shelter and SPAN, local authority housing, local authority criminal justice (for those within areas of Dundee) support workers through CRP. Addiction and mental health support was also available from NHS Tayside within the prison and a service level agreement was in place with SPS and Perth & Kinross Council to deliver prison‑based social work services to statutory prisoners. Relevant partners attended the RMT. Risk assessment arrangements were in place for long‑term prisoners but not for short‑term prisoners.

35.7 Overall partners and the Link Centre staff worked well together with regular communication taking place to discuss how different prisoner needs could be best met in preparing them for release. There were however some challenges in relation to communication and information sharing evident. All local authority and voluntary providers recorded information on PR2, but NHS Tayside did not. This presented a challenge for staff who were concerned that key information was not always shared or missed. This is a weakness.

35.8 Prisoners and prison staff held the view that support whilst in custody operated well but this did not continue into the community. The Throughcare support worker system is not yet in place in HMP Perth but there are plans for this. HMIPS will monitor progress in this area.

35.9 The CRP was a pilot scheme that operated for a period from March 2012‑14 and services have continued to operate this model since then. An independent evaluation completed on the pilot identified:

the approach seemed sound but there was limited evidence to support if this had made a positive impact in terms of outcomes; and

Personal Officers were not consistent in the approach.

35.10 Nine months later these same areas for development remain. The approach is sound but there has been no development of outcome measures and outputs to be able to see what difference this approach is making in ‘breaking the cycle’ of the ‘short‑term revolving door’. This means there is no sense on whether this is successful or not. HMIPS will continue to monitor this.

35.11 There was a need for significant improvement in respect of information on CRP for both prisoners and prison staff, including Personal Officers. There was no information in the halls about the CRP and the information gathered by inspectors was out‑of‑date. This meant that prisoners were agreeing to be involved in something they did not fully understand which had often been explained by Personal Officers who also did not fully understand. This is a weakness.

35.12 Prisoners, no matter where they lived were able to get good support from external services. There was a clear system in place through core screening and referral onto relevant services as agreed by the prisoner.

35.13 Short‑term prisoners are assessed and then offered pre‑release engagement with the Link Centre, where efforts are made to engage prisoners with community agencies if requested. Prisoners who are eligible for the CRP project have more access to services via the Link Centre and pre‑release ICM process.

35.14 Long‑term prisoners are considered for progression to the Open Estate, but the process does not appear to be clear to many of the prisoners spoken with and greater clarity would be beneficial in allowing them to make informed choices regarding their progression pathway.

Recommendation 41: HMP Perth should ensure that appropriate prisoners are provided with information regarding progression.

RECOMMENDATIONS

PART 1: SAFETY

STANDARD 1

Prisoners are safe at all times; while being escorted to and from prison, in prison and while under escort in any location.

Recommendation 1: NHS Tayside should ensure that all prisoners, on admission are assessed and that baseline observations are carried out and properly recorded. (Paragraph 1.3)

Recommendation 2: NHS Tayside should ensure that all prisoners returning to the prison from hospital are assessed by healthcare staff. (Paragraph 1.6)

Recommendation 3: NHS Tayside should ensure that appropriate information is displayed within the prison in relation to access to and the service provided by healthcare. (Paragraph 1.12)

Recommendation 4: HMP Perth should ensure dispensing rooms in all halls are cleaned to a consistently high standard. (Paragraph 1.15)

Recommendation 5: HMP Perth and NHS Tayside should ensure dispensing rooms in all halls are fit for purpose. (Paragraph 1.15)

Recommendation 6: The SPS should ensure that appropriate numbers of spaces are made available to those prisoners who require protection from others. (Paragraph 1.23)

Recommendation 7: HMP Perth should ensure that all officers undertaking patrol duties are issued with information relevant to their role. (Paragraph 1.27)

Recommendation 8: HMP Perth should ensure that a member of staff trained in First Aid at Work is on duty at all times. (Paragraph 1.28)

Recommendation 9: HMP Perth should ensure that the appropriate fire action notices are displayed within all cells. (Paragraph 1.30)

STANDARD 2

Force is only used as a last resort and then strictly according to law and procedures.

No recommendations.

STANDARD 3

Prisoners are protected from violence and harm by other prisoners.

Recommendation 10: HMP Perth should review the purpose and use of its Violence Reduction Strategy and ensure both staff and prisoners are aware of and know how to apply the process. (Paragraph 3.5)

Recommendation 11: HMP Perth should review how the local Tactical Tasking Group formally links in with the prison's Violence Reduction Strategy. (Paragraph 3.6)

STANDARD 4

Security levels for individuals are no higher than is necessary to meet the risk presented by the prisoner.

No recommendations.

STANDARD 5

Procedures for deciding security levels are as transparent as is compatible with the sensitivities of the decision.

Recommendation 12: HMP Perth should take appropriate action to ensure that all completed Prisoner Supervision System review forms are signed by the prisoner. (Paragraph 5.2)

PART 2: DECENCY, HUMANITY AND RESPECT FOR LEGAL RIGHTS

OUTCOME 2

Prisoners are treated with respect for their dignity while being escorted to and from prison, in prison and while under escort in any location.

STANDARD 6

The standards that apply to the treatment of prisoners in prison extend to all other places where they are held.

No recommendations.

OUTCOME 3

Prisoners are held in conditions that provide the basic necessities of life and health, including adequate air, light, water, exercise in the fresh air, food, bedding and clothing.

STANDARD 7

The accommodation is clean and provides a reasonable amount of space for each prisoner, with space for personal belongings, ventilation, a reasonable temperature, natural light.

Recommendation 13: HMP Perth should ensure the population within 'B' Hall does not exceed the design capacity of 130. (Paragraph 7.4)

STANDARD 8

Prisoners are allowed into the open air for at least one hour a day every day.

Recommendation 14: HMP Perth should ensure prisoners have access to suitable jackets for use in inclement weather during periods of exercise. (Paragraph 8.4)

STANDARD 9

Personal clothing is in decent condition, washed frequently and fits.

No recommendations.

STANDARD 10

Bedding is supplied and laundered at frequent intervals.

No recommendations.

STANDARD 11

Sanitary arrangements take account of health, hygiene and human dignity.

No recommendations.

STANDARD 12

Food is adequate for health, varied and religiously and culturally appropriate.

Recommendation 15: HMP Perth should ensure that food trolleys are plugged in to the socket provided within the pantry area as soon as they arrive in the hall and that food is only moved to the servery just prior to serving. (Paragraph 12.4)

Recommendation 16: HMP Perth should review the system for washing prisoners' cutlery. (Paragraph 12.10)

OUTCOME 4

Prisoners are treated with respect by prison staff.

STANDARD 13

Respect is the underlying basis of all interactions between staff and prisoners.

No recommendations.

STANDARD 14

Security measures such as searching are carried out with regard to the protection of human dignity.

No recommendations.

OUTCOME 5

Good contact with family and friends is maintained

STANDARD 15

Family visits are given high priority in terms of frequency, length and quality and are not restricted as part of any disciplinary or control process.

Recommendation 17: HMP Perth should further develop its Children's Visits Scheme and review the session times available. (Paragraph 15.4)

Recommendation 18: HMP Perth should review the duration of weekend visiting times. (Paragraph 15.14)

STANDARD 16

Visitors are well treated

No recommendations.

STANDARD 17

Visits take place in the most relaxed environment compatible with security.

No recommendations.

STANDARD 18

Telephone contact is made as easy as possible.

No recommendations.

STANDARD 19

Letter contact is made as easy as possible.

No recommendations.

OUTCOME 6

Prisoners' entitlements are accorded them in all circumstances without facing difficulty.

STANDARD 20

Staff are aware of their duty of care to give prisoners their legal rights. They know what these rights are. They accept the legitimacy and meet their obligations under it promptly.

No recommendations.

STANDARD 21

Staff are aware of their duty to observe the Human Rights of prisoners. They know what these rights are. They accept the legitimacy of that duty and meet their obligations under it promptly.

No recommendations.

STANDARD 22

Staff are aware of their duty to treat prisoners in accordance with fairness and natural justice. They know what this involves. They accept the legitimacy of that duty and meet their obligations under it promptly.

No recommendations.

STANDARD 23

Segregation is used sparingly and in accordance with procedures.

No recommendations.

PART 3: OPPORTUNITIES FOR SELF‑IMPROVEMENT AND ACCESS TO SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES

OUTCOME 7

Prisoners take part in activities that educate, develop skills and personal qualities and prepare them for life outside prison.

STANDARD 24

The regime of the prison encourages prisoners to make the most of their time there and to exercise responsibility.

Recommendation 19: HMP Perth should ensure that the role of the Personal Officer and who has responsibility for sentence planning is clearly defined. (Paragraph 24.6)

STANDARD 25

A full day's out of cell activities, such as work, education, leisure and cultural pursuits, is available for seven days of the week.

Recommendation 20: HMP Perth should ensure opportunities for prisoners to attend the satellite gymnasiums are maximised. (Paragraph 25.5)

STANDARD 26

The programme of work and related training focuses on equipping prisoners for employment on release.

Recommendation 21: HMP Perth should ensure that opportunities for prisoners to engage in purposeful activity are maximised. (Paragraph 26.3)

Recommendation 22: Fife College should ensure that the qualifications offered to prisoners allow for progression to more advanced, employability-related awards. (Paragraph 26.4)

STANDARD 27

A broad and relevant education programme is available.

Recommendation 23: The prisoners' Wage Earnings Policy should be clearly displayed in all work party areas within the prison. (Paragraph 27.11)

STANDARD 28

A range of interventions is in place to encourage prisoners to address those behaviours which may contribute to their offending.

Recommendation 24: HMP Perth should ensure that offending behaviour interventions meet the needs of the prisoner population held within the prison.

(Paragraph 28.4)

STANDARD 29

There is a programme of cultural and voluntary activities.

Recommendation 25: HMP Perth should ensure that untried prisoners have access to the library services. (Paragraph 29.2)

STANDARD 30

Opportunities to practise their religion are available to all prisoners.

No recommendations.

STANDARD 31

Suitable arrangements to enable prisoners to buy a range of personal and other items that meet prisoners' needs are in place and available and accessible as necessary.

No recommendations.

OUTCOME 8

Healthcare is provided to the same standards as in the community outside prison, available in response to need, with a full range of preventative services, promoting continuity with health services outside prison

STANDARD 32

Health services of a high quality are available to all who need them.

Recommendation 26: NHS Tayside should ensure that healthcare referral forms are freely available within the residential halls. (Paragraph 32.1)

Recommendation 27: NHS Tayside should ensure all prisoner medical referral form boxes are clearly and consistency labelled within each residential hall. (Paragraph 32.3)

Recommendation 28: NHS Tayside and HMP Perth should ensure arrangements for the dispensing of medication does not impact disproportionality on the regime. (Paragraph 32.9)

Recommendation 29: NHS Tayside should ensure that the pharmacy room is fit for purpose and there is an appropriate system of work in place. (Paragraph 32.14)

Recommendation 30: NHS Tayside should ensure that controlled drugs are stored appropriately and staff are aware of their responsibilities in respect of these. (Paragraph 32.15)

Recommendation 31: NHS Tayside in conjunction with HMP Perth should review the process for reporting absent for work through ill health. (Paragraph 32.20)

Recommendation 32: NHS Tayside should ensure that the Health Centre is used efficiently. (Paragraph 32.21)

Recommendation 33: SPS and NHS should ensure healthcare records transfer at the same time as the prisoner. (Paragraph 32.23)

Recommendation 34: NHS Tayside should ensure that appropriate clinical information is relayed timeously to the prison based health team with regard to any NHS healthcare delivered out with the establishment. (Paragraph 32.24)

Recommendation 35: NHS Tayside should ensure that it complies the Records Management: NHS Code of Practice 2012. (Paragraph 32.27)

Recommendation 36: NHS Tayside should ensure that there is adequate provision of clinical psychology services. (Paragraph 32.32)

STANDARD 33

Addictions are dealt with the way most likely to be effective and when they conflict, treatment takes priority over security measures as far as possible.

Recommendation 37: NHS Tayside should ensure that where appropriate prisoners are referred and prescribed Methadone on release. (Paragraph 33.12)

Recommendation 38: NHS Tayside should ensure that prisoners' community based GPs are notified of their liberation, relevant health information and details of prescribed medication are provided as appropriate. (Paragraph 33.13)

Recommendation 39: NHS Tayside should ensure that procedures used in relation to prisoners who do not conform to prescribed substitute medication arrangements are formally documented. (Paragraph 33.16)

OUTCOME 9

Appropriate steps are taken to ensure that prisoners are integrated safely into the community and where possible into a situation less likely to lead to further crime.

STANDARD 34

The prison has a policy on links with families and with the local community and allocates staff time to implement it.

Recommendation 40: HMP Perth should ensure that adequate numbers of managers are trained to sign off risk assessments and liberations. (Paragraph 34.5)

STANDARD 35

Arrangements are made for prisoners to leave with somewhere appropriate to live, healthcare, continuity assured, a chance to find work and build social links.

Recommendation 41: HMP Perth should ensure that appropriate prisoners are provided with information regarding progression. (Paragraph 35.14)

GOOD PRACTICE

PART 2: DECENCY, HUMANITY AND RESPECT FOR LEGAL RIGHTS

Good Practice 1: Database used to record the details of removals and the fact that digital memory cards detailing removals are retained in individual numbered, sealed bags in the Security Unit. (Paragraph 2.3)

Good Practice 2: HMP Perth member of staff seconded to Barnado's Scotland (the lead partners for Thrive Public Social Partnership) who works both within the prison and in the community linking families with activities in their own community as well as practical support and advice. (Paragraph 15.5)

Good Practice 3: Prisoners understanding of the role of the Family Contact Officers (FCOs) within HMP Perth and work undertaken and information provided by the FCOs. (Paragraph 15.6)

PART 3: OPPORTUNITIES FOR SELF‑IMPROVEMENT AND ACCESS TO SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES

Good Practice 4: The opportunity for prisoners who are drug free to attend an enhanced Physical Training session prior to going to work. (Paragraph 25.6)

Good Practice 5: HMP Perth innovative pilot of the use of substance misuse champions (including some ex-offenders) within the context of offending behaviour interventions. (Paragraph 28.5)

Good Practice 6: A Recovery Café has been implemented and runs each Friday. (Paragraph 33.4)

Good Practice 7: NHS Tayside quality improvement focus on delivery of healthcare. (Paragraph 33.19)

Good Practice 8: HMP Perth Pre Release Life Skills programme. (Paragraph 34.1)

INSPECTION TEAM

David Strang, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons
Caroline Johnston, Deputy Chief Inspector of Prisons
Tony Martin, Inspector of Prisons
Alan Forman, Business Manager
Clare Wilson, Care Inspectorate
Dr John Bowditch, Education Scotland
Andrew Brawley, Education Scotland
Jim Dowd, Guest Inspector, Scottish Prison Service
Angela Holmes, Guest Inspector, Scottish Prison Service
Karen Malloch, Healthcare Improvement Scotland
David Thomson, Healthcare Improvement Scotland

ACRONYMS

ABS | Anti-Bullying Strategy
ACT 2 Care | Scottish Prison Service suicide prevention strategy
BBV | Blood Borne Virus
E&D | Equality and Diversity
FCOs | Family Contact Officers
FLM | First Line Manager
FNC | First Night Centre
GPA | Generic Programme Assessment
GP | General Practitioner
HDC | Home Detention Curfew
HMP | Her Majesty's Prison
HMIPS | Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland
ICM | Integrated Case Management
OLR | Order for Lifelong Restriction
PCF | Prisoner Complaint Form
PLH | Prisoner Learning Hours
PR2 | Prisoner Records Version 2
PSP | Public Social Partnership
PSS | Prisoner Supervision System
PT | Physical Training
RMT | Risk Management Team
SPS | Scottish Prison Service
SQA | Scottish Qualifications Authority
SRU | Separation and Reintegration Unit
SVQ | Scottish Vocational Qualification
VAW | Violence Against Women
VC | Visiting Committee
VIRS | Violent Incident Review
VRS | Violence Reduction Strategy
VISION | NHS electronic patient record