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| Lockerbie bomber prison concerns | Lockerbie bomber prison concerns |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Conditions for inmates at the jail which until last week held Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi have been criticised in a report. | |
| Andrew McLellan, who has since stepped down as chief prisons inspector, said preparations for the release of sex offenders at Greenock Prison was poor. | Andrew McLellan, who has since stepped down as chief prisons inspector, said preparations for the release of sex offenders at Greenock Prison was poor. |
| He also described cells as cold and damp and attacked a practice whereby female inmates are given men's clothes. | He also described cells as cold and damp and attacked a practice whereby female inmates are given men's clothes. |
| The Scottish Prison Service said the report was "fair". | The Scottish Prison Service said the report was "fair". |
| It added that action was being taken to address the shortcomings | It added that action was being taken to address the shortcomings |
| Terminally-ill Megrahi, who is not mentioned in the report, served eight years of his prison sentence following his conviction for the Lockerbie bombing, before being released on compassionate grounds. | Terminally-ill Megrahi, who is not mentioned in the report, served eight years of his prison sentence following his conviction for the Lockerbie bombing, before being released on compassionate grounds. |
| Dr McLellan, who stepped down in June, described living conditions for those in the prison's Ailsa and Darroch halls as "not good", adding "cells are cold and feel damp, and toilets in cells are only partially enclosed or not closed at all". | Dr McLellan, who stepped down in June, described living conditions for those in the prison's Ailsa and Darroch halls as "not good", adding "cells are cold and feel damp, and toilets in cells are only partially enclosed or not closed at all". |
| His inspection, carried out between 6 and 13 May, also found that the prison's health centre was "not fit for purpose", while care delivery was satisfactory. | His inspection, carried out between 6 and 13 May, also found that the prison's health centre was "not fit for purpose", while care delivery was satisfactory. |
| He noted prisoners did not receive their daily medication, including methadone, prior to going to court. | He noted prisoners did not receive their daily medication, including methadone, prior to going to court. |
| Inspectors were assured that underwear provided for men and women alike when required was new underwear - but none could be found when inspectors asked to see it Greenock Prison Report | Inspectors were assured that underwear provided for men and women alike when required was new underwear - but none could be found when inspectors asked to see it Greenock Prison Report |
| Dr McLellan's report also said that female inmates at the jail should be issued with appropriate clothing and not outfits bought for men. | Dr McLellan's report also said that female inmates at the jail should be issued with appropriate clothing and not outfits bought for men. |
| The report added: "Inspectors were assured underwear provided for men and women alike when required was new underwear - but none could be found when inspectors asked to see it." | The report added: "Inspectors were assured underwear provided for men and women alike when required was new underwear - but none could be found when inspectors asked to see it." |
| 'Mix freely' | 'Mix freely' |
| Despite concerns, the report praised "good links" between the prison and community organisations, in particular prisoner placements at Chrisswell House. | Despite concerns, the report praised "good links" between the prison and community organisations, in particular prisoner placements at Chrisswell House. |
| John McCaig, deputy chief inspector of prisons, said: "Although there is much to commend in Greenock Prison, there are also serious concerns. | John McCaig, deputy chief inspector of prisons, said: "Although there is much to commend in Greenock Prison, there are also serious concerns. |
| READ IN FULL HM Chief Inspector of Prisons Report into Greenock Prison [28KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here | READ IN FULL HM Chief Inspector of Prisons Report into Greenock Prison [28KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here |
| "Until recently young offenders were held in Darroch Hall. Their experience was good. Now it is bad." | "Until recently young offenders were held in Darroch Hall. Their experience was good. Now it is bad." |
| The criticism comes after an experiment to house only convicted young men in Darroch Hall was brought to an end and it was used to accommodate female inmates. | The criticism comes after an experiment to house only convicted young men in Darroch Hall was brought to an end and it was used to accommodate female inmates. |
| Mr McCaig added: "The change of use of Darroch Hall means that these young men now live in Ailsa Hall, where their access to any kind of useful day is extremely limited. | Mr McCaig added: "The change of use of Darroch Hall means that these young men now live in Ailsa Hall, where their access to any kind of useful day is extremely limited. |
| "Indeed it is almost impossible for any prisoner to have access to a really useful day in Ailsa Hall because of the conflicting needs and demands of different groups of prisoners who cannot mix freely." | "Indeed it is almost impossible for any prisoner to have access to a really useful day in Ailsa Hall because of the conflicting needs and demands of different groups of prisoners who cannot mix freely." |
| He said the change of use of Darroch Hall from male offenders to female prisoners happened "very quickly". | He said the change of use of Darroch Hall from male offenders to female prisoners happened "very quickly". |
| However, he said: "There are some good, early signs for the future of female prisoners in Greenock - but it is unacceptable that women should be required to wear clothing bought for men." | However, he said: "There are some good, early signs for the future of female prisoners in Greenock - but it is unacceptable that women should be required to wear clothing bought for men." |
| A Scottish Prison Service spokesman said: "We welcome the number of positive comments in the report including good living conditions in Chrisswell House, good food, that the prison is considered safe and relationships between staff and prisoners are very good. | A Scottish Prison Service spokesman said: "We welcome the number of positive comments in the report including good living conditions in Chrisswell House, good food, that the prison is considered safe and relationships between staff and prisoners are very good. |
| "The report also finds that facilities and arrangements are very good, discipline is good and the prison is safe and the availability and use of education and employability opportunities are notable. | "The report also finds that facilities and arrangements are very good, discipline is good and the prison is safe and the availability and use of education and employability opportunities are notable. |
| "The community based work placements for prisoners in Chrisswell House are classed as excellent." | "The community based work placements for prisoners in Chrisswell House are classed as excellent." |