Scottish Prisons Assessment and Review of Outcomes for Women (SPAROW): executive summary

Recommendations (see Chapter 11 in the full report)

The full report concludes with ten recommendations based on the views and experiences of women, SPS officers and delivery partners which, if realised, could potentially improve the experiences of, and outcomes for, women in the CCUs. The recommendations include a range of actions which are required to address the issues identified in the report and which could be effectively addressed through collaborative action by the SPS and the Scottish Government.

Recommendation 1: Following the intention of the SPS Strategy for Women, a culture of continuous improvement should be embedded, based on evaluation, evidence and lived experience of women and the officers working in the CCUs. As part of this, the physical environment, the garden surrounds and equipment within the CCUs should be kept under review to ensure that they continue to meet the needs of women.

Recommendation 2: The provision of primary care, mental health support and social care within the CCUs should be kept under review to ensure the maintenance of the principle of equivalence, whereby women are afforded provision of, and access to, appropriate services or treatment which is consistent with that available to the wider community.

Recommendation 3: Officer training should be improved to enable officers to feel more informed and confident in working in a gender-specific and trauma-informed way. This should include how to identify the various manifestations and effects of trauma, including cognitive, emotional, and physical impacts, and the application of trauma-informed principles. The use of concrete examples drawn from lived experience will help officers to bridge the gap between the theoretical and practical. Opportunities for integrated training, with continued opportunities for ’on-the-job’ elements could be usefully explored.

Recommendation 4: To supplement the learning from training and to provide opportunities for peer learning, enhanced self-awareness and improved practice, regular opportunities for critical reflective practice should be implemented for officers. Reflective practice potentially offers value for both personal and professional development and learning. Where conducted in a group setting it may also usefully address some of the inconsistencies in messaging.

Recommendation 5: Consideration should be given to a review of risk assessments for the CCUs, if they are to reach their full potential (i.e. they are currently too risk averse to do so). Officer understanding of the operation of risk assessment processes that apply in the CCUs should also be enhanced. A closer alignment between manager and officer understanding on what is and what is not allowed in CCUs could reduce inconsistent messaging and resultant confusion. Clarity on operational arrangements is essential.

Recommendation 6: The CCUs need to encourage and support the access of delivery partners into the prison estate. A thorough review of the process for becoming a delivery partner should be conducted to ensure a smoother and less protracted process.

Recommendation 7: Increased opportunities for engagement with services in the community would enable delivery partners to provide more direct provision for women and would more effectively support the reintegration that many of the delivery partners anticipated. A strategic overview of how best to work effectively with delivery partners in this process should take place.

Recommendation 8: SPS should consider investing in technology and the installation of a body scanner to replace the use of body searches in the CCUs to reduce the humiliation and trauma-caused by body searching of women. This investment should also extend to the provision of computers for women for their education and/or as preparation for release.

Recommendation 9: Consideration should be given to the development and implementation of evidence-based therapeutic programmes for women in the CCUs that address trauma. Pathways of care for women who are survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence should also be ensured.

Recommendation 10: A review of throughcare arrangements for women in the CCUs should be undertaken as a matter of priority.