Section Four National Preventive Mechanism member profiles Summary of activities and key issues During 2009–10, HMCIPS carried out three full inspections of HMP & YOI Cornton Vale, HMP Greenock and HMP Perth.40 Cornton Vale holds all categories of women, including young offenders, women on remand and convicted prisoners. While HMCIPS found Cornton Vale to be a safe prison, it was concerned about the increasing number of women held there. It found the conditions in which most of the women lived to be unacceptable, noting that many spent long periods ‘locked up’ because of insufficient opportunities for work and education. HMCIPS also expressed concern that there was inadequate access to sanitation facilities, that food was of poor quality, and that the health centre was not fit for purpose. The inspection reports for both Greenock and Perth prisons were generally positive. However, at Greenock, HMCIPS found living conditions for most prisoners were not good and commented on the lack of privacy for prisoners using in-cell toilets. At Perth, HMCIPS expressed concern at the high number of prisoners testing positive for illegal substances on release and also recommended that arrangements for prisoners’ first nights in custody should be more structured. out in conjunction with Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary for Scotland and the Social Work Inspection Agency. This inspection focused on the assessment and management of offenders who present a high risk of serious harm. The report made a number of recommendations, including greater coordination between agencies so that prisons receive information more quickly when an offender begins a sentence for a serious violent or sexual offence. It also recommended that all staff working with offenders who present a high risk of serious harm, including prison staff, receive appropriate training and support.41 Looking forward During the course of the year, a new Chief Inspector of Prisons was appointed. He has identified six areas of special interest which will provide an additional focus for inspections in the future. These areas are the training and development of prison staff; prisoners’ families; community partnerships; preparation for release; addictions; and the smuggling of illicit and unauthorised items into prison. As well as inspecting individual places of detention, HMCIPS carries out thematic inspections. Previous themes have included prisoners with severe and enduring mental health problems and conditions for remand prisoners. In 2009, HMCIPS published a report of a thematic inspection carried 40 All inspection reports are available on the HMCIPS website. 41 SWIA, HMIC & HMIP, Assessing and managing offenders who present a high risk of serious harm (2009) available at: www.swia.gov.uk 43