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Custody Inspection Report - Greater Glasgow

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  • HMICS Custody Inspection Report - Greater Glasgow
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Inspection reports

6th March 2025

The aim of this inspection, undertaken jointly by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) and Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS), was to assess the treatment of, and conditions for, individuals detained in the police custody centres at London Road, Govan and Cathcart in Greater Glasgow. The report provides an analysis of the quality of custody centre operations and the provision of healthcare services. It also outlines key findings identified during our inspection and makes six recommendations for Police Scotland and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. While the recommendations in this report have specific relevance for Greater Glasgow custody centres, we recognise that some of these will be equally applicable to other custody centres across Scotland.

Additional

  • Custody Inspection Report - Greater Glasgow
  • HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland
  • Our inspection
  • Key findings
  • Recommendations
  • Areas for improvement
  • Context
  • Methodology
  • Outcomes

  • Custody Inspection Report - Greater Glasgow
  • HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland
  • Our inspection
  • Key findings
  • Recommendations
  • Areas for improvement
  • Context
  • Methodology
  • Outcomes

Methodology

11. HMICS and HIS undertook a wide range of activities during the baseline review of healthcare provision in custody to inform the development of our custody inspection methodology. These activities are outlined in the aforementioned report published in January 2023. As a result, the following key stages have been undertaken for this inspection and will form the basis of future joint inspections.

12. HIS requested key pieces of evidence in advance of the onsite inspection relevant to healthcare provision. On the first day of the inspection, HIS inspectors issued a letter to the HSCP to request a follow-up meeting with NHS managers to allow the inspection team to discuss key issues arising from the onsite inspection and the review of evidence.

13. During the inspection, we examined the treatment of, and conditions for, detainees at the centres. We observed key custody processes and assessed the custody environment, condition of cells and facilities for detainees. We undertook interviews with custody staff and managers, as well as healthcare practitioners (HCP) that were present during our visit. We also spoke with people detained in custody at the time.

14. A proportional sample of custody records were examined from those created across all custody centres in the Glasgow police division during July 2024. Of the 1,780 records created during that period, 880 related to people processed at London Road and 900 related to Govan custody centre. We sampled 90 records for review on NCS, which equated to five per cent of throughput in that month.

15. The sample was selected to be broadly representative of the proportions of men, women and children held in custody during the aforementioned period. Based upon this, sampling was weighted to ensure that women and children were included during random selection.

16. The review of NCS records provided valuable information on aspects of risk assessment, observation levels, and compliance with the expectations of the Police Scotland care and welfare of detainees, standard operating procedure.

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