Glenochil is sited near Tullibody in central Scotland and holds long-term adult male prisoners with High, Medium and Low supervision security classifications. Prisoners are not committed to HMP Glenochil direct from the courts but are admitted following conviction, from other prisons, principally Barlinnie and Edinburgh. Glenochil provides a range of opportunities for addressing offending behaviour and for work and education.

HMP Glenochil has a capacity of 496 in 4 main residential halls. The average year to date prisoner population is 487 (98%). On admission, prisoners are located in 'D' Hall for a three week induction course where they are informed about the opportunities available in Glenochil and the standard of conduct expected of them. They also undergo a risk and needs assessment. On completion of the induction programme they are usually moved to a mainstream flat in 'A', 'C', or 'D' halls where they can then work towards a transfer to one of the other regimes.

B Hall continues to be the top end regime housing Medium and Low supervision prisoners who have the potential to transfer to open prisons. In addition to the standard regimes within the halls we have one main prisoner group who require to be segregated. Prisoners who, for a variety of reasons, have requested protection are located in the top flat of 'B' hall.

All prisoners take part in Mandatory Drug Testing whilst prisoners within the drug free areas agree to participate in Voluntary Drug Testing. Glenochil currently has 206 drug free spaces. All drug tests are carried out to nationally agreed standards. There has been a real increase in the number of prisoners providing negative tests under MDT over the past three years (82%, 82%, 86%) within the establishment.

HMP Glenochil continues to deliver a high quality service meeting or exceeding in all but 1 of its Key Performance Indicators during 2002/2003. The prison is continuing to develop and deliver accredited prisoner programmes and activities in line with the SPS Vision of Correctional Excellence. In particular we seek to engage the co-operation of prisoners in addressing their offending behaviour through sentence management and the delivery of structured programmes which are designed to change patterns of thinking to reduce the risk of re-offending.

The long term prisoner population in Glenochil is known for its volatility and complexity and the challenge for staff is to provide a stable base from which to address a wide range of prisoner needs and expectations. Glenochil's continuous improvement and significant achievements over the past few years are testament to the commitment and skill of staff in effectively managing the prisoners within their charge.

Facilities

An electronic night sanitation facility in the prisoner accommodation blocks allows prisoners access at night to sanitation facilities. Currently the only area that does not have access is the segregation unit but this will be rectified when the new unit is built under the 10 year development plan. Recreation facilities are provided within each hall. Food is supplied from a central kitchen using a menu card system. The catering department recently received the Charter Mark for Excellence in Customer Service.

Health Centre

A purpose built 3 cell Act and Care suite provides temporary time out accommodation and support for prisoners who have physical or mental health difficulties. Health Care provision in Glenochil is proactive with each of the 13 nurses taking responsibility for services in specific areas, for example epilepsy, diabetes and blood borne diseases and so on. A Medical Officer supports staff in healthcare delivery. Providing high quality care in a complex prison environment for Mentally Disordered Offenders and those with addiction problems are areas of special development. A Health Forum provides monthly promotions on relevant health topics and provides day events like the Wellperson Roadshow.

Prisoners Programmes

The programmes currently available to prisoners who have been assessed as suitable are Cognitive Skills, Anger Management, Drug Relapse Prevention, START, Problem Solving Skills, Drug & Alcohol Awareness and Sleep and Anxiety management. Alcoholics Anonymous and one to one counselling through the Social Work Department are additional opportunities Glenochil offers.

Several prisoner volunteers are trained as Listeners by the Samaritans to provide one to one support to those prisoners who wish to use this service.

Industries

There are 4 main workshops within the prison; Glass Re-enforced Plastics, Metal Fabrication, General Purpose Party and Timber Assembly providing employment for approximately 172 prisoners. In addition we offer 6 vocational training parties, which provide employment for up to 66 prisoners. Protection prisoners (approximately 40) are employed on a rotational basis, within a discrete Textile Party and in the establishment’s Laundry. A further 2 adult parties include the Catering and Grounds party who provide 36 employment places collectively. The further development of an employability area will also provide 50 prisoner places. Passmen are trusted prisoners employed in the Residential Halls and in miscellaneous positions throughout the prison providing additional employment for approximately 64. Last year the Metal Fabrication achieved the First Class Suppliers Gold Award from Consignia which is an extremely prestigious award for providing high quality goods

Vocational Training

Vocational training courses offering SCOTVEC National Certificate Modules are available in painting and decorating, domestic appliance repair and servicing and hairdressing. City and Guilds skills testing level are also available in domestic appliance repair and servicing. SQAs are also available in catering, the Craft shop and certificates offered through the awarding body BICS for Industrial Cleaning.

Education

An Education Officer, 2 full-time and 4 part-time teachers, all of whom are employed by Lauder College, staff the Education Unit. The curriculum focuses on literacy, numeracy, Information Technology etc. ranging from basic education to Open University standard.

At present we also have prisoner volunteers who have been trained to provide adult basic literacy to other prisoners.

Physical Education

The PE department comprises of 1 Manager and 8 Officers, who are employed full-time on physical education duties. Prison PE facilities include a sports hall and gymnasium. External grounds provide 2 football fields with a running track and an all weather five-a-side football pitch. The adult programme incorporates a range of PE activities and prisoners are encouraged to participate in all areas of health and fitness.

Social Work

The Social Work Unit, contracted from Clackmannanshire Council, has one senior and six basic grade social workers with 2 admin staff. Social workers are allocated to certain areas of responsibilities, for example Mental Health, and assist in the drug addiction strategy, case conferences and one to one counselling. A Service Manager (Criminal Justice Services) from the Council's Social Services/Housing Department has managerial responsibility and has contact with prison based staff on a regular basis.

Human Resources

There are currently 424 employees working at Glenochil. The establishment originally achieved the Investors In People (IIP) Award in November 1999 and in November 2002 the assessors returned for a further assessment in response to the request for re-accreditation. In December 2002 we were advised that our re-accreditation had been approved for a further three year period. This provided Glenochil with the evidence that the changes that had been necessary to achieve the initial award had now become embedded and the current move is to the EFQM process and preparation for an application for a European Quality Award.

Our Sickness Absence target for 2002-3 was to reduce the level of sickness absence by 10% on the previous year’s level. This was exceeded and we achieved a 12% reduction.

The second Justice Minister’s Reception again featured a member of Glenochil’s staff receiving one of the top awards with a number of other staff receiving Chief Executive’s commendations. Another member of staff received the national Butler Trust Award for services to other prison service staff, the first time this award has been made.

Glenochil also achieved the Scotlands Health At Work (SHAW) Bronze Award in 14th August 2002 for providing health awareness to staff and prisoners.The Health Forum is now working towards the Silver Award.