Read the report: court custody facilities in Avon, Somerset and Gloucestershire

Custody in the cluster of criminal courts in Avon, Somerset and Gloucestershire was found by HM Inspectorate of Prisons (HMI Prisons) to be delivered professionally and respectfully.

Inspectors noted that the way positive and caring way in which staff dealt with and managed detainees mitigated some of the shortcomings they also observed. These included delays in getting those in custody before the court and the fact that some of the older cells were “barely fit for use.”

Inspectors visited six magistrates’ courts and three crown courts, with just under 100 cells, in March 2020. The report noted: “Custody staff in all suites behaved very humanely and respectfully towards detainees and were skilled in establishing a rapport with them.” The three agencies responsible for courts [see note 4 below] generally worked well and the gaps identified did not greatly detract from the care provided for detainees.

Peter Clarke, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, said: “Custody staff engaged well with detainees during their time in court custody facilities and detainees were complimentary about their treatment.”

Mr Clarke added, however, that there was room for improvement on important issues. “The greatest concern was that some detainees spent too long in court cells without good reasons – this was more acute than we have experienced in other recent [court custody] inspections.” The report details a range of reasons for these delays, which included the failure to prioritise children in court custody for appearances.

Environmental conditions across the estate also varied greatly. Some cells were very good, but others were barely fit for use and maintenance arrangements were hindered by contractual complexities and budgetary constraints. The report noted: “Some suites, including the cells, were cold. Some cells, notably at Gloucester and Taunton Crown Courts, were small, cramped, cold and damp […] and lacked natural light.”

Mr Clarke said:

“A consistent criticism when inspecting court custody concerns the routine handcuffing of detainees, including children, in the secure and controlled custody environments in the absence of an individual risk assessment. We again saw this practice in Avon, Somerset and Gloucestershire.”

– Ends –

Notes to editors
1. A copy of the full report, published on 1 July 2020, can be found on the HM Inspectorate of Prisons website.

2. HM Inspectorate of Prisons is an independent inspectorate, inspecting places of detention to report on conditions and treatment, and promote positive outcomes for those detained and the public.

3. HM Inspectorate of Prisons’ inspections of court custody facilities contribute to the United Kingdom’s response to its international obligation to ensure regular independent inspection of all places of detention. The inspections focus on outcomes for detainees in three areas: leadership, strategy and planning, individual rights, and treatment and conditions, including health care.

4. This inspection covered custody in the court cluster in Avon, Somerset and Gloucestershire – a total of 98 cells across three crown courts and six magistrates’ courts, with a detainee throughput in 2019 of 7,724. The Prisoner Escort and Custody Services (PECS) arm of HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) had contracted GEOAmey on behalf of HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) to provide court custody and escort facilities in the region.

5. This inspection took place between 2 and 11 March 2020.

6. Please contact John Steele at HM Inspectorate of Prisons on 07880 787452, or at john.steele@justice.gov.uk, if you would like more information.