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Cornton Vale prison toilet conditions 'unacceptable' Cornton Vale prison toilet conditions 'unacceptable'
(about 5 hours later)
Conditions at Scotland's only all-women prison have been criticised as it emerged that half of inmates do not have direct access to a toilet.Conditions at Scotland's only all-women prison have been criticised as it emerged that half of inmates do not have direct access to a toilet.
Prison inspectors said "significant progress" had been made at Cornton Vale since a damning report in 2009.Prison inspectors said "significant progress" had been made at Cornton Vale since a damning report in 2009.
But they said night-time sanitation arrangements at the jail were "wholly unacceptable in the 21st Century".But they said night-time sanitation arrangements at the jail were "wholly unacceptable in the 21st Century".
The Scottish government said they would "no longer be an issue" when some offenders relocated to HMP Polmont.The Scottish government said they would "no longer be an issue" when some offenders relocated to HMP Polmont.
Cornton Vale is due to begin a phased closure this summer, before it is replaced with a purpose-built facility in 2020.Cornton Vale is due to begin a phased closure this summer, before it is replaced with a purpose-built facility in 2020.
In its latest report, HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland called for the jail's "antiquated" night sanitation system to be replaced "as a matter of urgency".In its latest report, HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland called for the jail's "antiquated" night sanitation system to be replaced "as a matter of urgency".
New prison
Inspectors found many prisoners had to wait more than 10 minutes to use a shared toilet overnight and a small number waited in excess of an hour.Inspectors found many prisoners had to wait more than 10 minutes to use a shared toilet overnight and a small number waited in excess of an hour.
In some cases, women were told to "pee in the sink".In some cases, women were told to "pee in the sink".
A government spokeswoman said: "We understand that facilities at Cornton Vale prison are out-dated. A Scottish government spokeswoman said it accepted that facilities at Cornton Vale prison are out-dated.
"That is why last summer Justice Secretary Michael Matheson unveiled plans for a new approach to dealing with female offenders, with a move towards custody in the community, backed by targeted support to address underlying issues and action to reduce the numbers of women receiving custodial sentences." Plans to build a new women's prison, for 80 offenders, were announced by Justice Minister Michael Matheson last summer.
It came after he blocked previous plans to construct a 300-inmate jail at Inverclyde.
Led by prisons chief inspector David Strang, the report's authors received numerous reports about the "distress and discomfort" caused to women who had to wait to use the toilet, particularly those who were pregnant or had health problems.Led by prisons chief inspector David Strang, the report's authors received numerous reports about the "distress and discomfort" caused to women who had to wait to use the toilet, particularly those who were pregnant or had health problems.
"Indeed, prisoners were extremely vocal about this subject and it was, by some way, the single strongest criticism that women made about the prison," the report said."Indeed, prisoners were extremely vocal about this subject and it was, by some way, the single strongest criticism that women made about the prison," the report said.
The arrangements had gone on "far too long", according to the inspectors.The arrangements had gone on "far too long", according to the inspectors.
The finding has prompted criticism by opposition politicians who accused the Scottish government of failing to improve conditions at the jail since a 2012 report by Dame Elish Angiolini found it was "not fit for purpose".The finding has prompted criticism by opposition politicians who accused the Scottish government of failing to improve conditions at the jail since a 2012 report by Dame Elish Angiolini found it was "not fit for purpose".
Scottish Labour's Graeme Pearson said: "It is hard to believe that in 21st Century Scotland half of the prisoners at Cornton Vale have no direct access to toilet facilities and are encouraged to use wash hand basins as toilets. Scottish Labour's Graeme Pearson said: "It is hard to believe that in 21st century Scotland half of the prisoners at Cornton Vale have no direct access to toilet facilities and are encouraged to use wash hand basins as toilets.
"If women are to be rehabilitated and encouraged to change their ways they must be treated with dignity and respect.""If women are to be rehabilitated and encouraged to change their ways they must be treated with dignity and respect."
'Appalling' conditions at Glasgow Sheriff Court'Appalling' conditions at Glasgow Sheriff Court
Facilities for prisoners at Glasgow Sheriff Court are "not fit for purpose" and its conditions are "appalling", according to inspectors. The inspectors also found that facilities for female prisoners at Glasgow Sheriff Court are "not fit for purpose" and its conditions are "appalling".
They "did not reflect positively on a 21st Century justice system", a report said. They "did not reflect positively on a 21st century justice system", their report said.
During a visit to the court as part of their review of Cornton Vale, inspectors highlighted:During a visit to the court as part of their review of Cornton Vale, inspectors highlighted:
Lib Dem justice spokeswoman Alison McInnes said the conditions were "frankly scandalous".
She added: "Ministers seem to have some new-found focus and that needs to be maintained because the sooner this outdated institution is shut for good the better."
A spokesman for the Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service said it was working with the Scottish Prison Service to improve facilities within custody cells.A spokesman for the Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service said it was working with the Scottish Prison Service to improve facilities within custody cells.
Plans to build a new women's prison, for 80 offenders, were announced by Justice Minister Michael Matheson last summer.
It came after he blocked previous plans to construct a 300-inmate jail at Inverclyde.
The inspection of Cornton Vale also found:The inspection of Cornton Vale also found:
The report was welcomed by the Scottish Prison Service (SPS).The report was welcomed by the Scottish Prison Service (SPS).
A spokesman said: "SPS is pleased to note that a number of areas of good practice have been identified, particularly in relation to family contact, where opportunities are available to women to maintain meaningful contact with their children and their family."A spokesman said: "SPS is pleased to note that a number of areas of good practice have been identified, particularly in relation to family contact, where opportunities are available to women to maintain meaningful contact with their children and their family."