Report on Hmp Low Moss Full Inspection 29 May–9 June 2017
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HMIPS HM INSPECTORATE OF PRISONS FOR SCOTLAND INSPECTING AND MONITORINGAND MONITORING REPORT ON HMP LOW MOSS FULL INSPECTION 29 MAY–9 JUNE 2017 INSPECTING AND MONITORING Contents Introduction and Background 1 Key Facts 3 Overview by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland 4 Summary of inspection findings 7 Standards, commentary and quality indicators 8 Standard 1 Lawful and transparent use of custody 8 Standard 2 Decency 12 Standard 3 Personal safety 17 Standard 4 Health and wellbeing 24 Standard 5 Effective, courteous and humane exercise of authority 38 Standard 6 Respect, autonomy and protection against mistreatment 47 Standard 7 Purposeful activity 56 Standard 8 Transitions from custody to life in the community 69 Standard 9 Equality, dignity and respect 75 Standard 10 Organisational effectiveness 82 Annex A Prison population profile on 29 May 2017 87 Annex B Inspection team 88 Annex C Acronyms used in this report 89 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland (HMCIPS) assesses the treatment and care of prisoners across the Scottish Prison Service estate against a pre-defined set of standards. These Standards are set out in the document ‘Standards for Inspecting and Monitoring Prisons in Scotland’, published March 2015 which can be found at https://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, conventions and in Prison Rules, they are the Standards of Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland (HMIPS). This report is set out to reflect the performance against these standards and has 10 main sections: Standard 1 Lawful and transparent custody Standard 2 Decency Standard 3 Personal safety Standard 4 Health and wellbeing Standard 5 Effective, courteous and humane exercise of authority Standard 6 Respect, autonomy and protection against mistreatment Standard 7 Purposeful activity Standard 8 Transitions from custody to life in the community Standard 9 Equality, dignity and respect Standard 10 Organisational effectiveness HMIPS assimilates information resulting in evidence based findings utilising a number of different techniques. These include: obtaining information and documents from the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) and the prison inspected; shadowing and observing 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 the range of services delivered within the prison at the point of delivery; inspecting a wide range of facilities impacting on both prisoners and staff; 1 attending and observing relevant meetings impacting on both the management of the prison and the future of the prisoners such as Case Conferences; and reviewing policies, procedures and performance reports produced both locally and by SPS headquarters specialists. HMIPS is supported in our work by inspectors from Healthcare Improvement Scotland, Education Scotland, Scottish Human Rights Commission and the Care Inspectorate. The information gathered facilitates the compilation of a complete analysis of the prison against the standards used. This ensures that assessments are fair, balanced and accurate. In relation to each standard and quality indicator, Inspectors record their evaluation in two forms: 1. A colour coded assessment marker. Rating Definition Good performance Indicates good performance which may constitute good practice. Satisfactory Indicates overall satisfactory performance performance. Generally Indicates generally acceptable acceptable performance though some performance improvements are required. Poor performance Indicates poor performance and will be accompanied by a statement of what requires to be addressed. Unacceptable Indicates unacceptable performance performance that requires immediate attention. Not applicable Quality indicator is not applicable. 2. A written record of the evidence gathered is produced by the Inspector allocated each individual standard. This consists of a statement against each of the indicators contained within the standard inspected. It is important to recognise that although standards are assigned to Inspectors within the team all Inspectors have the opportunity to comment on findings at a deliberation session prior to final assessments being reached. This emphasises the fairness aspect of the process ensuring an unbiased decision is reached prior to completion of the final report. 2 KEY FACTS Location HM Prison Low Moss is situated north of Bishopbriggs, East Dunbartonshire. Role HMP Low Moss provides 700 cells, which can accommodate up to 782 prisoners as well as facilities to help prisoners address their reoffending and re-integrate back into the community on their release from prison. It holds adult male convicted and remand prisoners primarily from the North Strathclyde area. Population held at time of inspection At the time of inspection a total of 751 prisoners were in custody. See Annex A for a data provided by Low Moss giving a breakdown by age, category and sentence length. Date of last inspection May 2013 Healthcare Provider NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Learning Provider New College Lanarkshire Social Work Provider East Dunbartonshire Council 3 Overview by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland Introduction HMP Low Moss is one of the newest prisons in Scotland, having been opened in 2012. In the five years since then, the prison has developed a strong sense of identity and purpose. The Governor and senior management team have provided clear leadership, communicating a compelling set of priorities for all who work in the prison and are well supported by the partner agencies. Low Moss is a modern, well designed and equipped prison, which is readily placed to provide a decent, humane and engaging environment. The last inspection of Low Moss was conducted in 2013. This inspection was carried out in May and June 2017. I am grateful to the guest inspectors from Healthcare Improvement Scotland, the Care Inspectorate, Education Scotland, the Scottish Human Rights Commission and the Scottish Prison Service who assisted with this inspection. Inspection Findings In relation to the ten Standards for Inspecting and Monitoring Prisons in Scotland used to inspect Low Moss, one was assessed as good performance, eight as satisfactory and one as poor. Overall, we found a prison that was operating effectively, with a number of areas of innovation and excellence. It was described to us as a safe prison, where prisoners felt that they were treated with dignity and respect. Staff, too, felt safe and confident. Relationships between staff and prisoners appeared to be positive throughout the prison. Engagement with the chaplaincy team was particularly valued by prisoners; we found that the chaplaincy team played a key role in supporting prisoners more widely than just around faith based issues. The main area of concern related to the provision of healthcare for prisoners in Low Moss, which was assessed as poor. On-going staff shortages in the nursing team meant that the requirement to prioritise cover for basic healthcare provision impacted on the range of interventions and treatments offered to patients. There was little opportunity or capacity to offer health promotion in respect of addictions and substance or alcohol misuse. We were concerned that Naloxone had not been given to prisoners since July 2016. Prisoners could wait up to four weeks to see the General Practitioner (GP) for a routine appointment and nurse treatment clinics were regularly cancelled. Apart from the Blood Borne Virus (BBV) service, no chronic disease management clinics were held in the prison. It is worth noting however that the healthcare staff and management were clearly dedicated to delivering the best possible service but unable to deliver this as a result of persistent and enduring staffing shortages. The mental health team and the addiction team had good response times to assessments, but their follow up of patients assessed as being suitable for treatment 4 and support was inconsistent. Mandatory training and training reviews for staff were not up to date. Although an established system for managerial supervision was in place, staff did not receive regular supervision. As a consequence of these findings, HMIPS will return to Low Moss with colleagues from Healthcare Improvement Scotland early in 2018 to check progress on these and other healthcare matters. Partnership working in Low Moss was a strong and prominent feature with a wide range of organisations providing support and services for prisoners. As part of the inspection process, we held a partners forum, in order to gauge the extent and value of such work. Two clear messages emerged from this forum. Firstly all parties were universal in their admiration for the way in which the Governor and senior management team embraced and encouraged partnership working. Partner organisations felt welcome at Low Moss and appreciated the joint initiatives in order to make a difference for prisoners. Secondly the participants