Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland (HMCIPS), David Strang, has today published the Inspectorate's new Standards for Inspecting and Monitoring Prisons in Scotland.
These published Standards have been drawn up through a process of extensive consultation. They are referenced against relevant law, international and professional guidance, policy and research findings. The Standards articulate what is expected of a well-run prison and contain very clear statements identifying what is important and what will be monitored and inspected. They are designed to assist those who are running prisons and to encourage openness and transparency in the scrutiny of places of detention.
The new Standards are spilt into 10 areas
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
David Strang says: “I am pleased to introduce these Standards. They represent a complete revision of the previous standards which were published in 2006, to reflect changes in legislation and practice. These Standards and the new evaluation system will make it clear, at a glance, the assessment awarded by HMIPS to the various Standards and Quality Indicators”.
HMCIPS assumes responsibility for monitoring with effect from 31 August 2015 with The Public Services Reform (Inspection and Monitoring of Prisons) (Scotland) Order 2015 coming into force.
The first inspection against these new standards will be HMP Glenochil, 16-24 March 2015.