First published: 15/08/2024
The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) faces growing pressure to end the routine body-searching of female inmates, following a critical inspection of the newly opened HMP & YOI Stirling and two community custody units in Glasgow and Dundee. Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland, Wendy Sinclair-Gieben, has labeled these practices as "degrading, demoralising, and re-traumatising."
HMP & YOI Stirling, a modern £85 million "therapeutic" facility that opened in 2023, was intended to set new standards for female incarceration, focusing on rehabilitation and trauma-informed care. However, Sinclair-Gieben’s report has raised concerns that the potential of the prison is not fully realised due to the "churn" of the remand population, which limits inmates' ability to benefit from the facility's resources.
Sinclair-Gieben, who has consistently advocated for the end of routine body searches in her reports since 2018, argues that such searches should only be conducted based on "robust intelligence" or "grounds for suspicion." She emphasised that the use of random checks is unjustifiable in the current era of advanced technology.
“The idea of routine body searches is just laughable,” Sinclair-Gieben told STV News. “It’s hugely degrading, demoralising and re-traumatising. Let’s just stop and use technology we’ve got at our fingertips.”
Despite praising the overall "journey towards excellence" of the SPS, Sinclair-Gieben expressed concerns about the overcrowding in Scotland’s prisons, which she believes is exacerbating the situation. Overcrowding has led to two inmates sharing cells designed for one, a situation she deems unacceptable and not aligned with public expectations of prison conditions.
The inspector also highlighted issues with the security of HMP & YOI Stirling, noting that the absence of bars on doors and windows could pose risks. Furthermore, staff line of sight in residential units was found to be compromised, raising concerns about the effectiveness of supervision and safety.
The community custody units, Bella in Dundee and Lilias in Glasgow, were also scrutinised in the report. These units, opened in 2022, aim to equip women nearing the end of their sentences with "real life" skills for independent living. While Sinclair-Gieben praised the “modern, relaxed ambience” of these units, where inmates reportedly felt “safe, respected and supported,” she noted the need for greater autonomy among inmates and a review of security protocols that might hinder their reintegration into society.
A Scottish Prison Service spokesperson responded to the report, emphasising the SPS's commitment to the rights and wellbeing of those in their care, stating: “We have installed body scanner machines in 11 establishments and only conduct body searches where necessary to keep people safe.”
The spokesperson also highlighted the progress made in managing women in custody, citing the reduction in the use of restraint and the additional support provided for new admissions as evidence of Scotland’s leadership in this area.
Despite the challenges identified, Sinclair-Gieben’s report recognises the significant strides made by the SPS, particularly in creating a "therapeutic environment" at HMP & YOI Stirling and the community custody units. She concluded that Scotland could become a "best practice" model for managing women in custody, provided that the issues raised are addressed and the facilities' full potential is realised.
The report calls for an evaluation of the current use of HMP & YOI Stirling as an assessment centre and questions whether it represents the best use of the facility's therapeutic resources given the current climate of prison overcrowding.
As the SPS continues to work towards improvement, Sinclair-Gieben’s findings underscore the ongoing tension between security measures and the humane treatment of inmates, particularly women, in Scotland’s prison system.
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