His Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland
Cabinet Secretary for Justice | |
Agency executive |
|
---|---|
Parent agency | Scottish Government |
Website | www |
Map | |
HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland was established in 1981, following recommendations of the
As of July 2018, His Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland is Wendy Sinclair-Gieben.[1]
Origins
His Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland was created following a Committee of Inquiry into the
Remit and jurisdiction
His Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland was placed on a statutory basis by an
The Inspectorate carries out a regular inspection of Scotland's prisons (including the privately run prisons). Each of Scotland's 16 prisons is normally subject to a full inspection every three years. Annual shorter, follow-up visits - which may be unannounced - are also made. Issues examined include actual physical conditions, the quality of prisoner regimes, the morale of staff and prisoners, facilities and amenities available to staff and prisoners, safety issues, and decency and contribution to reducing re-offending. The Inspectorate also inspects Legalised Police Cells (mainly used in rural parts of northern Scotland) and the conditions of prisoner escort arrangements.
The Inspectorate can only make recommendations; it has no executive power to enforce these recommendations. The inspection system is identical for both state-run and privately managed prisons.
Personnel
The post of HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland is full-time. It has always been a lay appointment (an individual with no previous connection with the prison service). The Chief Inspector is appointed by the Crown under section 7 of the Prisons (Scotland) Act 1989.[3] The Inspectorate's office is located in Edinburgh.
Although the Chief Inspector is entirely independent of the Scottish Prison Service, he is assisted by two senior managers seconded from the Service. They offer professional advice and guidance during the conduct of inspections. The Inspectorate team also includes a Scottish Government civil servant and a Personal Secretary. The Inspectorate works with other statutory Inspectorates responsible for issues such as health, education and additions.
Previous HM Chief Inspectors
- Philip Barry, 1981–1985
- Thomas Buyers, 1985–1989
- Alan Bishop, 1989–1994
- Clive Fairweather, 1994–2002
- Andrew McLellan, 2002–2009
- Brigadier Hugh Munro, 2009–2013
- David Strang, 2013-2018
See also
- Scots law
- Scottish Court Service
- State Hospitals Board for Scotland
References
- ^ "Who we are | HMIPS".
- ^ "Prisons (Scotland) Act 1989". legislation.gov.uk.
- ^ "Prisons (Scotland) Act 1989". legislation.gov.uk.