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Inspectors praise 'well-run' Victorian prison

BBC A brick prison building with a Scottish saltire flying outside on a grey dayBBC
The Dumfries prison dates back to the 19th Century

Inspectors have praised a Scottish prison built in Victorian times for being "well-run" and its staff for their "caring and compassionate attitude".

They found that prisoners at HMP Dumfries were "significantly more positive" in the assessment of their treatment than at other sites around the country.

But they noted that, with buildings dating back to the 19th Century, it was "inevitable that some elements were showing their age".

Interim HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland, Stephen Sandham, said: "This is one of the best reports we have given for any prison anywhere in Scotland - both the management and the staff here should be really proud of it."

HMIPS Interim HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland, Stephen Sandham a man with grey hair and glasses in a suit jacket and a blue tie with a spotty pattern and white shirtHMIPS
Stephen Sandham said vulnerable prisoners were very well looked after in Dumfries

HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland (HMIPS) visited the prison in August last year.

It was found that it performed well against all standards and Mr Sandham said a large slice of the credit had to go to staff.

"We saw some exceptional examples of vulnerable prisoners being really well looked after," he said.

"These are prisoners who had very challenging behaviours in other prisons in Scotland, had been self-harming and here they seem to have adjusted really, really well.

"I think that is as a result of the attitude of staff."

Among other areas highlighted in the report were:

  • A Wellbeing Garden with an "excellent array" of vegetables which provided a "relaxing therapeutic environment".
  • The prison was kept "spotlessly clean" with prisoners allowed to paint their own cells
  • A good system for completing mandatory drug testing

However, it also identified room for improvement in the likes of vocational training, the range of educational opportunities available and its lack of rehabilitative programmes.

The report said that there had been "tangible progress" in tackling previous criticism of its efforts to promote equality and diversity.

"Overall, this is a very positive inspection report, which is a credit to management and staff," inspectors concluded.