Scotland's chief inspector of prisons yesterday revealed his frustrations with the continued problems of prison overcrowding and the practice of locking up under-16s.
Scotland's chief inspector of prisons yesterday revealed his frustrations with the continued problems of prison overcrowding and the practice of locking up under-16s.
In his penultimate annual report, Dr Andrew McLellan called for the introduction of electronic tagging as an alternative to remand in prison for those not requiring the highest security.
More than 1500 remand prisoners are held in prison every day. A decade ago, only 15% of the prison population was made up of remands, but now the figure is 20%.
Echoing the electioneering slogan of Barack Obama, Dr McLellan called for the "change we need" in prisons to tackle the growing problem of overcrowding and the locking up of children under 16.
He also raised concerns about the lack of work opportunities for prisoners and said the work produced should be given away if it cannot be sold. He pointed out that one prison work party grows "beautiful fuchsias" which are then thrown away to rot.
Dr McLellan referred to overcrowding as a "menace" which is preventing prisons from actively intervening to rehabilitate offenders and warned that the pressure on catering means some prisoners are going hungry.
He added: "It is very frustrating that children under the age of 16 are still being sent to prison - despite the Cabinet Secretary's announcement that it should stop. This practice should be abolished.
"There are just not enough prisoners working, learning useful skills, developing self- respect and acquiring industrious habits.
"When we compare this situation with what was available to prisoners in 1986, it is even more frustrating. Part of this is a result of overcrowding and part of it might be to do with having to make savings. Whatever the reason, prisoners should have the opportunity to work.
"Remand prisoners are once again living in the worst conditions and have the worst regime in any prison. They hardly ever have the chance of a job to break up the day and may well spend 22 hours out of 24 locked up. This situation must not be allowed to continue."
Dr McLellan said: "I think there are arguments for using tagging rather than remanding in prison. The unchanging poverty, social exclusion, and inequality from which almost all prisoners suffer is the most powerful factor in inhibiting transformation and rehabilitation among prisoners. Prison can only do so much.
"On a more positive note, the disappearance of slopping out is an unqualified benefit. The safety of prisons has increased enormously since the 1970s, and relationships between staff and prisoners are very good."
Dr McLellan is due to step down from the post next year.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: "While crime has fallen in Scotland, we continue to lock up more offenders than ever before. This is the absurd situation we inherited and which the report highlights. We need to punish severely those involved in serious crime and lock up those offenders who are a danger to our communities.
"Less-serious offences need to be dealt with by tough community punishments. They should pay back the damage they've done through the sweat of their brow, rather than have free bed and board at the taxpayers' expense."
