The purpose of a follow up inspection is to follow up Points of Note raised in previous inspections, to examine any significant changes, and to explore issues arising from the establishment's own assessment of itself. it is not an attempt to inspect the whole life of the establishment.

In addition to its primary function of inspecting prisons, the Inspectorate will from time to time undertake a study into an issue that is common to all or some prisons. As with inspection reports, these thematic study reports are submitted to Scottish Ministers.

Older Reports

Older reports are not available electronically but you can request a hard copy by emailing hmip@scotland.gsi.gov.uk.

Training for Freedom and Community Placements in the Scottish Prison Service (1993)

Persons Detained under the Immigration Act 1971 and Ethnic Minority Prisoners (1988)

Staff Training in the Scottish Prison Service (1988)

Chaplaincy in the Scottish Prison Service (1987)

Social Work Units in Scottish Prisons (1986)

Children in Prison (1985)

The Inspectorate has a statutory obligation to prepare an Annual Report. This Report, which is laid before Parliament, summarises the work of the Inspectorate for the year in question and offers comments on relevant aspects of the operation of the Scottish Prison Service.

There are nine Police Stations in Scotland where police cells have been 'legalised'.  Prisoners (rather than individuals taken into custody by the police) can be held in these cells for up to 30 days.   These cells are in stations which are not near to prisons (where these prisoners would otherwise be held):

• Hawick
• Kirkwall
• Lerwick
• Lochmaddy
• Stornoway
• Thurso
• Campbeltown
• Dunoon
• Oban

The need for some of these Legalised Police Cells has been raised in previous inspections but has become even more of an issue in recent years, particularly since the contracting out of escort arrangements in 2004.  

HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland has a duty to inspect legalised police cells and to report on the conditions and treatment of prisoners in them.

Monitoring Reports Text.

Quarterly Bulletins Test

Standards of Inspection and Monitoring Text.