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Custody inspection report - Highland and Islands

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  • HMICS Custody inspection report - Highland and Islands
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Inspection reports

26th November 2025

This inspection, undertaken jointly by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) and Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS), aimed to assess the treatment of, and conditions for, individuals detained in police custody centres in the Highland and Islands local policing division. The report provides an analysis of the quality of custody centre operations and the provision of healthcare services. It outlines key findings identified during our inspection and makes four new recommendations for Police Scotland concerning custody operations. It highlights previous recommendations made in recent inspections of other custody centres across Scotland where the same, or similar, issues were found to be evident. The report also makes 36 recommendations across the four health boards that have responsibility for healthcare provision in the custody centres visited by our inspectors.

Additional

  • Recommendations
  • Our inspection
  • Key findings
  • Recommendations
  • Areas for improvement
  • Previous recommendations
  • Context
  • Methodology
  • Outcomes
  • Healthcare – Highland and Islands
  • Healthcare provision – NHS Highland
  • Healthcare provision – NHS Western Isles
  • Healthcare provision – NHS Shetland
  • Healthcare provision – NHS Orkney

  • Recommendations
  • Our inspection
  • Key findings
  • Recommendations
  • Areas for improvement
  • Previous recommendations
  • Context
  • Methodology
  • Outcomes
  • Healthcare – Highland and Islands
  • Healthcare provision – NHS Highland
  • Healthcare provision – NHS Western Isles
  • Healthcare provision – NHS Shetland
  • Healthcare provision – NHS Orkney

Areas for improvement

Areas for improvement

Number

Police Scotland should liaise with the Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service to clarify responsibility for returning persons home following court.

1

Police Scotland should examine training deficits within ancillary centres and take remedial action to ensure officers are suitably trained to undertake the role when this is part of their duties.

2

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