Joint review of police custody recommendations

Since 2023 HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland and Healthcare Improvement Scotland have jointly undertaken a programme of inspections aimed at assessing the treatment of individuals detained at police custody centres across Scotland. Our reviews have looked at the physical conditions in which detainees are held, as well as analysing the quality of the custody centres operations at each location, and the healthcare services provided. Having published 10 such joint custody inspection reports to date, in which we made a total of 45 recommendations to Police Scotland and 104 recommendations to NHS boards, we took the decision to carry out a review of the progress made against these recommendations. The findings set out in this report are primarily drawn from our published joint inspection reports and our examination of progress made on recommendations during this review. As part of this joint review, HMICS inspectors also examined custody records on the National Custody System (NCS) to assess operational practice, interviewed custody staff, supervisors and senior officers, and carried out onsite visits to observe custody operations and assess implementation of inspection recommendation in practice. Inspection work carried out by HIS included the analysis improvement plans, evidence submissions and internal risk assessments, as well as undertaking focus groups with key partners to gather system-wide insight and triangulate findings. The resultant report identifies where progress has been made against recommendations and also highlights ongoing challenges. It also makes two new recommendations for Police Scotland concerning its custody operations, and one for NHS boards in relation to healthcare provision within police custody.