OVERCROWDING in one hall at Greenock Prison has reached 100% at times in the last year with sometimes three prisoners to a cell, a report reveals today.

But a check by the Chief Inspector of Prisons found that the jail had addressed almost every concern raised during last year’s inspection. Dr Andrew McLellan’s report, praises the prison for having no escapes, no suicides for three years, low levels of violence and a full programme of work and activities for women.

It also had a wide range of focused, local programmes to address offending behaviour and prepare prisoners for release, although few long-term prisoners participate. A good range of community placements including administration, retail, manual labour and group work was in place.

But, the report also points out the overcrowding in one hall and that the prison needs to ensure there are sufficient healthcare staff in place to deliver a full service.

Dr McLellan said: “It was noticeable that the prison had drawn up an action plan in response to last year’s report and almost every matter raised in that report has been addressed successfully. There is now a full programme of work and activities for the women transferred to Darroch Hall last year, and relationships between the prisoners and staff there are good.

”Long term prisoners in Chrisswell House have the opportunity to access good work placements and home leave and are working towards open conditions.”  However, Dr McLellan added that induction and participation in programmes were less satisfactory.

He also pointed out that Greenock is three different prisons in one. He stated: “There are three halls and in each of them the conditions are very different. While there was no overcrowding in Darroch Hall and Chrisswell House, overcrowding in Ailsa Hall was approaching 100 per cent and sometimes three prisoners were sharing a cell.

“This overcrowding means that staff have limited time to deal with prisoners and that there are not enough work places. Many prisoners in Ailsa Hall have an empty day, with prisoners on remand and on protection having the least opportunities to take part in useful activities.”

He concluded: “Overall, however, this is an encouraging report and staff are to be commended for their efforts in tackling the problems caused by overcrowding in Ailsa Hall.”

TO see the report go to http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/justice/hmipirg-00.asp.