Independent inspectors have released their latest assessment of HMP Kilmarnock, which is managed by Serco on behalf of the Scottish Prison Service, saying that overall the prison is a ‘secure and well-ordered prison where the majority of staff and prisoners told us that they felt safe’.
Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Scottish Prisons found that there were a number of positive and innovative practices in HMP Kilmarnock and highlighted six areas of good practice: –
- The good relationships between staff and prisoners.
- The Physical Education department, where there is an exceptional rapport between prisoners and staff
- The ATM facility, which facilitates information sharing with prisoners about canteen sheets, menu options, critical dates and human rights and allows prisoners to easily communicate with family and friends for relatively low cost.
- The Links Centre, which allows a wide range of third sector organisations to actively engage with prisoners and services in the community.
- Engagement with Prisoners in Consultation, with PIAC meetings which are held regularly and which are well attended.
- The Health Education Initiative – an innovative peer support approach to delivering health improvement by appointing prisoner health coaches.
Commenting on the report Michael Guy, Serco’s Contract Director at HMP Kilmarnock, said: “We are really pleased that the Report recognises the positive and innovative initiatives that the team at HMP Kilmarnock have been putting in place. These include the good relationships between our staff and the prisoners and our engagement with prisoners in consultation; our Physical Education department, ATM facility and the Links Centre and our Health Education Initiative.
“At the same time we recognise that there are areas in which we must continue to improve and we will work with the SPS and NHS Scotland to address the issues raised.”
“Great news from Serco which are a very innovative user of prisoner self-service working with Unilink” commented Francis Toye, Unilink MD.
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