By Dave Lord

SOME AREAS of Perth Prison are overcrowded by up to 50%, according to a report published by Scotland’s chief inspector of prisons.

In a follow-up report, Andrew McLellan also notes that conditions in C-Hall, which include slopping out and cell-sharing, “remain a disgrace.”

He flags up an increase in prisoner on prisoner violence, limited opportunities for work and poor food.

However Dr McLellan draws attention to real progress in several areas, and says the planned programme for renovation should eventually improve conditions throughout the jail.

“Perth has now joined the growing number of prisons where every aspect of prison life and prison management is affected by overcrowding,” Dr McLellan said.

“In Perth the worst overcrowding is in C Hall, where the number of prisoners can approach 50% above the number the hall should hold.

“While the prison does try to minimise the disadvantages to prisoners that overcrowding brings, conditions in C Hall are bad. Slopping out still exists, and as long as it is combined with cell sharing it remains a disgrace and a disgrace that must be ended.”

While there have been significant improvements, Dr McLellan is concerned over how long it will take to achieve acceptable modern standards.

“Installation of electrical power in cells in C Hall has made a difference for the better,” he said.

“A new building programme is under way for the whole prison but it means it may still be some time before slopping-out is ended.”

However Dr McLellan commented, “Most of the other accommodation has been refurbished and is clean and tidy. There is evidence of real progress in provision of programmes for prisoners.”

Other matters assessed very positively in the report are induction, sentence management and throughcare.

Dr McLellan also notes that health care arrangements continue to be good, though there is a heavy workload imposed by the need to provide methadone and detoxification drugs.

He adds that there are limited opportunities for work, particularly for prisoners sentenced to less than six months; the reception area is inadequate; and food quality is poor at point of serving.

Dr McLellan notes that there has been a rise in prisoner on prisoner violence, particularly among remand and short term prisoner groups. However relationships between staff and prisoners are very good.

“Prison staff have made progress in delivering a number of improvements since the last inspection ... it is to be hoped that they will be further supported in this when the new building programme begins.”

The follow-up report was carried out in June of this year, following a full report in January, 2002.

Perth MSP Roseanna Cunningham said last night, “I welcome Dr McLellan’s recognition of the sterling work being done by staff at Perth in making progress on a number of improvements since the last inspection.

“The chief inspector rightly highlights the continued existence of slopping out in combination with cell sharing and condemns it as a disgrace. There is a lot of work planned for Perth to improve the situation but more should have been done.

“Basic human decency—and the European Convention of Human Rights—mean that this needs to be addressed. Slopping out is a Victorian practice which has no place in a modern penal system,” the MSP added.

“The Scottish Executive have failed to act effectively across the prisons estate to address the problem with anything like the speed required.”