Reid demands urgent action after report slams prisoner conditions at Oban Sheriff Court as “dreadful” (Aberdeen South & North Kincardine Liberal Democrats)

Aberdeen South & North Kincardine Liberal Democrats <info@aberdeensouthlibdems.org.uk>

Reid demands urgent action after report slams prisoner conditions at Oban Sheriff Court as “dreadful”

August 26, 2009 12:04 PM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

Alan Reid, Liberal Democrat MP for Argyll & Bute, has demanded that the Scottish Government act immediately to improve prisoner conditions at Oban Sheriff Court. He was speaking after Dr Andrew McLellan, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, published a report which slammed prisoner conditions at the Sheriff Court as "dreadful".

The report revealed that, following a lengthy journey from Greenock, prisoners are required to wait in the cramped prison van for their trial. They can be held in the van for over 8 hours before their trial is held. The toilet facilities for prisoners are filthy and the toilet has no door. There is no place for prisoners to have confidential discussions with their solicitor. The report also pointed out that there are cells in the nearby police station which could be used to hold the prisoners, but the police do not allow this.

Mr Reid said,

"It is appalling that prisoners are being held in such dreadful conditions in this day and age. The Scottish Government should be ashamed of itself for allowing this situation to develop. They must take immediate action to build decent holding facilities for prisoners at the Sheriff Court. In the meantime, empty cells at the nearby police station should be used. These prisoners are facing an important trial. They should have the right to prepare properly for this, not be kept all day in a van without access to decent toilet facilities and confidential talks with their solicitor. The Scottish Government must act immediately to end this disgraceful state of affairs."

Notes:

The report can be found at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/280264/0084430.pdf pages 17-18.