Foreword by Phil Hughes MBE Chairman.
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Dumfries prison Visiting Committee Annual Report 2007/8
Foreword by Phil Hughes MBE Chairman.
Once again the membership of the committee has been kept at full strength for most of
the reporting year. With the election over we now have two new council members on
board both of whom have received new member and security training and are performing
the full duties of committee members. Since our last annual report we once again have
another Governor Mr Jim Farish and all the committee agree that early indications are
that he will be good for Dumfries Prison.
We still have a variation when making visits in that some members carry keys and tour
the prison unescorted whereas some members prefer to have an escort
We are still faced with the on going saga of the lack of a realistic budget and to date we
are still relying on the goodwill of the Governor to meet expenses for such things as
attending training all of which has to be done in house because finances do not allow us
to attend external training.
As an independent body we obviously find this lack of a realistic budget unacceptable as
is the fact that we have to go cap in hand to the Governor of the Prison to make up the
shortfall.
Our current budget is £1600.00 of which £1250 .00 is used to pay the service level
agreement leaving a balance of £350.00.to cover travelling expenses for members to
attend meetings, pay visits and attend training A minimum operating budget for our
committee to operate effectively is shown in appendix G and for us to be seen to be
independent this should come from a body independent of the prison service.
Having said that however, to his credit, the new Governor found the finance to allow us
to pay a training visit to HMP Barlinie.The turnout for this visit was 80% of the
membership and the feedback from all those who attended was excellent.
Phil Hughes MBE
DPVC Chairman
1Dumfries prison Visiting Committee Annual Report 2007/8
1. General Duties of Visiting Committees and Members (The Prisons
and Young Offenders Institutions (Scotland) Rules 2006
158 (1) A Visiting Committee shall co-operate with Scottish Ministers and the
Governor in promoting the efficiency of the Prison and shall inquire into and
report to the Scottish Ministers upon any matter into which they may ask it to
inquire.
(2) The Visiting Committee shall:-
(a) Immediately bring to the notice of the Governor and circumstances relating to
the administration of the prison or the condition of any prisoner which appear
to it to be expedient to report for the Governor’s consideration; and
(b) Bring such circumstances to the notice of Scottish Ministers if it appears to
the Committee that the Governor has not remedied any matter which the
Committee has notified to the Governor in terms of sub paragraph (a) within
such period as appears to the Committee to be reasonable
(3) The Visiting Committee shall from time to time inquire into the state of the
prison premises and shall-
(a) Inspect, in particular, the food and drink provided to prisoners; and
(b) in relation to any such inquiry:-
(i) record particulars of every visit made together with any deficiencies found
during such visits, in the committee’s minute book; and
(ii) promptly send a copy of such particulars to the Scottish Ministers and to the
Governor
(4) The Visiting Committee shall also discharge such other duties as the Scottish
Ministers may from time to time assign to it.
159 (1) The Visiting Committee and any Member shall hear and investigate any
complaint which a prisoner makes to the Committee and the Member.
160 Not fewer than two Members of a Visiting Committee shall visit the prison at least
fortnightly and for this purpose the Committee shall arrange a rota of attendance
at the prison.
161 The Visiting Committee or any member of the Committee may inspect prison
records other than:
• Personnel Records
• Prisoner’s records
• Security Manuals or other papers which have implications for security
162 The Visiting Committee shall make an Annual Report for the period of 12 months
ending on 31st March each year to the Scottish Ministers concerning the state of
the prison and its administration and may include in it any advice and
suggestions it considers appropriate.
2Dumfries prison Visiting Committee Annual Report 2007/8
Membership of the committee April 2007 – March 2008
Phil Hughes MBE – Chairman
Robert Agnew - Depute Chairman
Donald Beattie
Jane Ingall
Robert Simpson
Moira Bell
William Scobie*
Robert Higgins
Andrew Wood*
Grahame Forster*
* Member of Dumfries and Galloway Council
Member Attendance 1 April 2007 – 31 March 2008
Name Statutory Committee Other meetings AVC meetings
Visits meetings including training /conferences
Phil Hughes MBE 7 3 7 3
Chairman
Robert Agnew 5 3 2 1
Depute Chairman
Robert Simpson 5 4 2 1
Moira Bell 4 3 2
Donald Beattie 1 1
Jane Ingall 5 4 2 1
Robert Higgins 3 3 1
William Scobie 4 2 2
Andrew Wood 4 3 2
Grahame Forster 4 2 2
Vacancy
3Dumfries prison Visiting Committee Annual Report 2007/8
DUMFRIES PRISON VISITING COMMITTEE
ANNUAL REPORT 2007/2008
In compiling this year’s annual report I have once again asked members of the
committee to look at various parts of the prison and submit their reports and for which
I am very grateful.
Dumfries currently has a mixture of short term local prisoners and long term sex offenders with a small
number of life sentence prisoners. The prison continues to meet the aims of the Scottish prison Service
in that there have been no escapes or incidents of mass disobedience during the reporting period and all
prisoners are treated with respect and humanity.
*There was however one escape but this was from an escort staffed by Reliance Security and no blame
can be laid at the prison.
Breakdown of prison role as at lock up 31 March
Adult convicted 145 (this includes 42 long-term sex offenders and 8 short term sex offenders)
Under 21 4
Unconvicted adults 36 (3 sex offenders)
Unconvicted under 21 11
Immigration Authorisation 3
Total lock up 199
Whilst Dumfries may be a small prison in terms of numbers the above breakdown of offenders brings
with it its own problems. That said the staff cope exceptionally well
Suicide Prevention.
The prison continues to have excellent suicide prevention measures in operation and whilst there has
been a small number of prisoners self harming themselves there has not been any suicides. I am also
pleased to report that the Samaritans are once again playing an active part and 10 prisoners have been
identified as potential listeners.
There has been one death in custody but this was a prisoner who had been diagnosed as terminally ill
and the prison staff had done everything possible to care for the prisoner during his illness.
Use of restraints.
The use of restraints within the establishment has been minimal and on the occasions that they have
been used they have been fully justified and there has not been any complaints raised with the
committee about the use of restraints. This and the fact that the number of Governors reports continue to
be low in number is another indication that the Regime is running smoothly.
Prisoner complaints
The prison received a lot of bad publicity last year due to the high number of registered complaints; the
bulk of these however could be attributed to a small number of inmates who were using the CP system
as a means of protest. Those prisoners have since left the establishment and the number of CP forms has
reduced dramatically.
See appendix A & B
4Dumfries prison Visiting Committee Annual Report 2007/8
Adjudications
These are on average running at about 9 per week which is not excessive considering the mix of
prisoners within the establishment. A number of these adjudications are prisoner assault on prisoner and
although the numbers are relatively small, not very serious, and under the Corporate Target, I am aware
that the Governor is looking at ways of improving the establishment’s anti bullying strategy.
Applications to see the Visiting Committee.
The number of applications to see a member of the visiting committee has also reduced this year (only
25) and none of which had a recurring theme. Although this is in line with the reduction in CP
applications I discussed this with the Governor and he has agreed to give the VC a higher profile within
the establishment by publishing a list of VC members and the application procedure to be followed in
order to speak to a visiting committee member in each of the halls
Visits Complex
The complex is a very bright and cheerful area information notices for visitors are plentiful and well
displayed and an adequate play area for children is situated within the visiting room. The waiting room
has recently been refurbished which has resulted in a separate area for legal visitors, a more secure area
and a much more pleasant area in which to wait.
Most prisoners actually receive much more than their minimum legal entitlement with remands getting 1
hour visits instead of 30 minutes and the short term prisoners receiving 3 visits per month.
The visits complex has a canteen which is staffed by a group of ladies who are members of a voluntary
organisation called Friends of HMP Dumfries. Another group of volunteers active within the visits
complex is an organisation called Hope and their members visit the long term prisoners who do not get
many visitors. Both of these organisations do an excellent job and have to be commended.
The complex also houses a children’s play area which is quite well used at times.
A new initiative of Father and Child bonding was started in mid march as a pilot scheme, initially for
short term prisoners, these visits are staffed by specially trained staff and the initiative must be seen as
an area of best practice.
The number of prisoners on closed visits is quite small and all are reviewed on a regular basis.
In conclusion the visits complex in Dumfries is a well organised part of the establishment with excellent
new initiatives being investigated and piloted
Reception.
Concerns had been raised on the previous annual report concerning the reliance escort service turning up
late for escorts and two occasions resulted in prisoners arriving late for funerals. This was raised at the
highest level both by the committee and senior management resulting in a meeting between the
management of the prison and reliance security. Constructive meetings have continued between the
managers of the prison and the escort service and all indications are that a much better service is now
being provided
Canteen
Reason for Report
The purpose of this report is to ascertain, past, present and future requirements of this facility, to meet
the acceptable level of service expected to maintain a highly efficient and well run Prison.
Consultation
Contact and discussions were made with Prison Officers, the new officer in charge and some of the
prisoners both assisting in the operation of the canteen and those encountered on routine inspection.
Background
The canteen is seen by prisoners, as very much of a link with the outside world, supplying small luxury
goods to prisoners that either earn monies from within the prison, when carrying out a multitude of tasks
5Dumfries prison Visiting Committee Annual Report 2007/8
from gardening, joinery and assembly of bolts, or are fortunate to have small amounts of money given at
visiting or on birthdays’ etc. There are difficulties in stocking the variety of products that prisoners
would like. There are also trends that change frequently and pricing issues that have not reflected present
prices and with recent increases now deemed, uncompetitive. The canteen does provide an excellent
pressure value and incentive for the prisoners.
Plans and financial resources
There have been plans to extend the canteen premises, so that a much larger stock can be carried. It has
been suggested that delays in starting this work, was down to budget pressures. We are pleased to
confirm that progress is very much in hand, with walls already demolished and finishing works in
progress. New increased stocks have still to be considered and we believe that it is to be more of the
same rather that increasing variety.
Key issues
Prisoners get frustrated when stocks run out. Shortages of certain prime products, such as cigarettes
become black-market items, or bully increases. Stock range varies, due to peeks and troughs in demand
and management is difficult on slow moving perishable goods, catering for minority groups. Also, the
increased varieties will inevitable created larger quantities of waste, which impacts on turnover of new
stock.
Suggestions
Maintain consistency with officer managing this department.
Do not increase the variety of stock, unless properly assessed and monitored.
Improved consultation, between prisoners and canteen management.
Computerised cataloguing and recording of individual prisoner usage, to assist in identifying product
trends.
Induction Programme
All prisoners, including those on remand and those transferred from another prison receive an induction
course on entering Dumfries.
There are two levels depending upon the length of sentence. This forms part of the Integrated Care
Management; a standard package is offered for sentences less than four years, an enhanced programme
for those over four years.
A first night admission checklist explaining the regime and basic requirements requires the signature of
the prisoner and an officer.
A Module 2A Checklist should be filled in within one week of admission. This covers addictions, act
(suicide), core screening, visits, general routine, service providers, listeners, anti-bullying and race
relations, complaint procedures, orderly room practice, religious needs, personal hygiene and infection
control, visiting committee role, family contact development officers, and health care.
For long term prisoners and transfers a specific checklist also covers employment opportunities and
earnings.
All the above information can be delivered by face to face, leaflet, group and video.
An individual checklist for each prisoner requires to be dated, and signed by the gallery officer.
Pre-Release:
The pre-release programme for prisoners serving over four years must be delivered within four months
prior to release and is carried out over two weeks. Several external agencies are involved in the delivery
of the programme including DAGCAS, Phoenix, CJ Social Work and the Police as well as internal
officers, nursing staff and education staff.
6Dumfries prison Visiting Committee Annual Report 2007/8
The programme includes personal financial management, disclosure, education, housing, addictions,
healthy lifestyles, overdose awareness, integrated care management, statutory conditions and the sex
offenders register.
The above is a brief overview of the systems in place; all topics mentioned are gone into in considerable
depth for each prisoner. We are fully satisfied that whether on admission, or release, the staff of HMP
Dumfries deliver first rate programmes.
Long term prisoners
Most of these prisoners have now settled down well into the regime at Dumfries and whilst they came
here because they were unwilling to partake in offender programmes most are now fully participating in
what is on offer. This has been brought about by the hard work of the officers delivering the
programmes and the encouragement by the personal officers.
All long and short term prisoners are subject to integrated case management (Multi- disciplined
approach to managing sentencing with community partners) which are reviewed annually. It is to the
credit of the prison that after much reluctance almost all of the long term prisoners now fully participate
in this programme.
Education
The Education Unit continues to be popular, offering classes in Art, Communications, ICT and
Mathematics. There is now an outreach program to remand prisoners in D Hall, offering Mathematics
and English on Mondays and Tuesdays. Mornings are devoted to LTP, s and three afternoons to STP, s.
On the average, 60 – 70 prisoners attend classes each week. There are no waiting lists at present.
The link with Motherwell College continues to work well. The IT qualification, the ECDL, has been
limited in the past. Prisoners could not complete the last module (using the internet) until after release;
this is set to change in May 2008. Prisoners will then be able to leave with the complete qualification.
Some art work is on display in the prison at present, more will presently appear. Some will go to
Edinburgh for the Festival. Poems and art work will be entered for the Koestler as usual.
Elsewhere in the prison other opportunities exist from time to time in order that qualifications can be
obtained in areas such as the kitchen, gardens and industrial cleaners.
Industries
It must be noted that the industrial cleaners continues to be an area of excellence and will be mentioned
later under the heading of best practice.
Work was completed this year to alter the work sheds to meet the needs of the establishment and
involved relocating the production work party and splitting the old production workshop into two
separate work parties, joiners workshop and green team workshop. At the time of my last visit I was
very impressed with the standard of work being produced by the prisoners in the joiners most of whom
are working towards their SQA. The green team workshop will also be used to facilitate fork lift truck
training for prisoners.
A long awaited disabled toilet is also being installed within the work sheds complex.
Capital projects.
The in-cell smoke detection and smoke extraction in all residential areas is now complete and all VC
members were invited to a presentation on the system.
A wheel chair lift has been installed in the admin building and the new entrance to the visits complex
has been completed.
7Dumfries prison Visiting Committee Annual Report 2007/8
Health Centre
The health centre continues to provide an excellent service to the inmates and is now up to strength with
a compliment of three medical nurses, one mental health and an addiction nurse. The problem of dental
care which we highlighted in last year’s report has now been resolved, the centre has a weekly dental
clinic and in addition the dental surgery is undergoing a complete refurbishment.
Link Centre.
Since opening the centre has become the hub of the prison and continues to be a hive of activity. It is
well used by the inmate population and with a great number of external agencies using the centre. The
range of services based in the link centre has expanded from addictions, advocacy and literacy support
related services to include structured case work services. To this end the Integrated Case Management
process is administered from the Link Centre and as part of that Risk Management Groups and Multi
Agency Public Protection Arrangement are facilitated from that area.
The structures and processes being developed are providing an holistic approach to the management of
all the offender groups at HMP Dumfries and ensuring that a balance is struck between supporting
prisoners in addressing their lifestyle needs: challenging prisoners regarding their offending behaviour
and protecting the public.
Statistics show that there has been a substantial increase in the usage of the Link Centre by the prisoners.
2006/7 recorded a figure of 5824 against a figure of 7500 in the years 2007/8.See appendix C& D
compared to appendix E & F.
The link centre is also becoming a popular venue for prisoners to access spiritual support.
Representatives from several faiths make appointments to see prisoners on request including those from
the Muslim, Jehovah Witness, Buddhist and mainstream Christian faiths.
The staff within the centre are extremely well motivated and take a pride in what they are doing however
one comment from the Link centre staff is that they would welcome another two interview rooms.
The Prisoners Information and Advisory Committee (PIAC) has for the first time been convened with all
areas of the establishment represented. The PIAC had previously only had representation from the long
term prisoners, this development gives the PIAC increased credibility as all views and perspectives can
be equally aired.
Kitchen.
Once again this department continues to receive praise from the committee members for the excellent
and incredible menus that they turn out considering the meagre allowance per head of prisoner. It is
noted that both the quality and quantity are excellent and the menu is full and varied and for which the
catering staff are to be commended.
A serious note of concern however is the huge increase in the cost of dry ingredients along with recent
increases in the price of bread and milk. This has increased the pressure on the catering staff and
managers to operate within the budget allowance.
Committee Concerns.
A concern of the committee is that of the staffing level of the segregation unit, whever members visit the
unit manned it is by only one member of staff if it is manned at all. Due to the mix and type of prisoners
held there then we feel that this is unacceptable. This is a situation that the present Governor inherited
from his predecessor but that said I have raised the matter with him. The Governor assures me that in the
interests of safety all prisoners are risk assessed and if necessary extra staff would be detailed to unlock
any prisoners thought to present a risk. We as a committee however are still concerned about the staffing
level.
Staff Concerns.
In speaking to staff it became apparent that there was quite a bit of apprehension regarding yet another
change to their shift pattern. I discussed this with the Governor and was pleased to be informed that he
was aware of this apprehension and as a result he had postponed the introduction of any new shift
pattern until he had time to examine the concerns being felt by the staff bearing in mind that any
changes to the shift pattern must ensure the efficient running of the establishment.
8Dumfries prison Visiting Committee Annual Report 2007/8
Best practice.
One area that stands out is the practice of using the mobile cleaning party, all of the prisoners are trained
to a very high standard in industrial cleaning, are able to obtain a qualification recognised in outside
industry, and subsequently employed, unsupervised, throughout the prison. This practice coupled with
the cleaning schedules displayed in all areas results in a very high standard of cleanliness throughout the
establishment. This was highlighted when Dumfries Prison won the British Institute of Cleaning
Science’s Albert Grant Award for the cleanliness of the prison
Another area of best practice is that of the Father and Child Bonding initiative currently being piloted in
the visits complex.
Management/ Staff Meetings
The governor has recently introduced a system of regular meeting with groups of his staff. The aim of
these meetings was to engage with the staff on an informal basis and to gain their views on what could
be done differently or better.
The first three were on the 18th the 20th and the 25th of February.
A range of issued were raised from rosters, to wanting to understand more about what they were about.
1. Staff identified a safety issue with light switches which allowed prisoners to plunge areas into
darkness; this was resolved almost immediately with the adoption of ‘fishtail’ switches which are tamper
proof.
2. It was also raised that prisoners were carrying food back to the hall and this posed a potential for
food hygiene issues in accommodation areas. Within a matter of days a prisoner notice as issued
informing them that food was not to be carried back to the hall, unless it was one of the cold options
which come in a sealed plastic bag.
3. Staff also identified a solution for covering the Gate more effectively at lunch time, this solution has
not yet been adopted as it relies on a level of co-operation between staff that it is felt may not be
universal, however, it will form part of the work that is being done on rosters in the near future.
Staff were informed that these meetings would be on a regular basis, probably quarterly.
This is clearly an excellent practice of a governor listening to the views of the staff on the ground and
this practice is to be commended.
9Dumfries prison Visiting Committee Annual Report 2007/8
Conclusion
The committee are satisfied that the prison staff provide a high standard of service to Dumfries Prison,
and commend the management on the many changes made over the past year.
There are some very dedicated staff in Dumfries Prison and relationships between staff and prisoners are
very good, resulting in Dumfries being a clean prison and one where prisoners feel safe.
I would like to add my own personal thanks to the committee for their continued dedication,
professionalism and support over this reporting period.
It is important however that we do not become complacent and continue with the high standards
currently experienced, with this in mind therefore I have drawn up the following list of key objectives.
Objectives
Ensure all new DPVC members receive induction training.
Continue to arrange refresher breakaway and security training for all DPVC members.
Arrange on going hostage brief training for all DPVC members
Ensure a minimum of four VC meetings per year
Arrange a minimum of two training sessions per year for VC members
Continue to maintain the recording of all training attended by DPVC members
Have in place a system whereby DPVC members can meet informally to discus any issues or
concerns they may have normally prior to quarterly meetings
Actively pursue a realistic budget that will allow for a full programme of activities for
DPVC members
Phil Hughes MBE
DPVC chairman
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