By Steve Bargeton, political editor

STAFF IN Scottish jails should always refer to prisoners as “Mr” or “Mrs” or call them by their first names—and should knock on the door before entering their cells.

This was just one of the standards laid down yesterday by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons in Scotland Dr Andrew McLellan.

He said the set of standards were intended to let staff and prisoners know what would be looked for during future prison inspections.

The 48-page document covered all aspects of prisoners’ life behind bars under three main headings—safety, decency and opportunities for self-improvement.

Scotland’s prison population is currently at a record 7200 and all jails undergo a full inspection every three years, with follow-up inspections in between.

Many of the standards refer to the continued practice of slopping out, which still takes place at Polmont young offenders’ institution and Peterhead jail, where chemical toilets are used.

Dr McLellan said he expected that if a lavatory is in a cell it should be enclosed to provide privacy, and if prisoners have to call for the cell door to be opened to use a lavatory staff should respond within a stated time that is “reasonable.”

Each prisoner should get at least one hour in the open air each day, in space large enough for “meaningful” exercise.

If it was cold, raining or snowing, “appropriate” bad-weather clothing must be provided.

Every prison should have sufficient phones to enable every prisoner to have daily access.

The phones, he said, should not be in noisy places where prisoners cannot hear properly, and they should be able to talk on the phone without being overheard by other inmates.

Healthcare in prison should be of the same standard as in the outside world.

Prisoners should be treated with respect by staff.

Dr McLellan made it clear he will expect these standards to be adhered to when he makes his inspections.

“I believe that the time has come to formalise those standards, so that prisoners, prison staff and the public can understand and have confidence in our work.

“As a modern regime we need to explain how we judge the standards of prisons, so that our reports can be held up against them.

“These standards reflect the independence of the inspection of prisons in Scotland. They have been developed from the actual practice of inspecting.”

A Scottish Prison Service spokesman said, “The prison service welcomes the fact there is a clear set of standards that the chief inspector has outlined.

“These standards have implications not just for the prison service but the wider community as well, in terms of issues like accommodation for individuals at the end of their sentence and job opportunities.”