We inspected Kittybrewster in March 2015. This was an unannounced inspection during which we assessed the physical environment at Kittybrewster, interviewed detainees and custody staff, observed key processes and reviewed the custody records of those detained at the time of our inspection. We also took into account the views and experiences of officers and staff working in Aberdeen City Division. Unannounced inspections can limit what we see during our visits to custody as we may only observe what we find at the time of our visit. On this occasion, for example, there was limited opportunity to observe or comment on the delivery of health care to detainees.
The aim of this inspection was to assess the treatment of and conditions for those detained in police custody centres located in Aberdeen City Division . The division is served by one custody centre at Kittybrewster in Aberdeen. The inspection is part of an on-going programme of custody inspections which contribute to the United Kingdom’s response to its international obligations under the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT). OPCAT requires that all places of detention are visited regularly by a National Preventive Mechanism (NPM), an independent body or group of bodies which monitor the treatment of and conditions for detainees. HMICS is one of several bodies making up the NPM in the UK.
Our inspection of Kittybrewster follows our thematic inspection of police custody arrangements in Scotland, published in 2014. As a result of that inspection, we made 15 recommendations and suggested Police Scotland consider 39 improvement actions. Police Scotland has developed an implementation plan for these recommendations and actions. Where relevant, we have taken the opportunity to comment on progress made against our previous recommendations in this report and will continue to do so during the custody inspections that take place as part of our local policing inspection programme. Where we find sufficient evidence, we will discharge those recommendations.
