HM inspectors find fault at custody centre in Dunfermline

Some of the sleeping plinths in the cells "presented a potential ligature hazard" while the area set aside for CCTV observation of detainees was "not fit for purpose" as it was in a busy area where officers could become distracted.

The HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland visited the custody centre at Kirkcaldy at the same time, last October, and a report found the quality of record keeping, risk assessment and care planning at both sides was "inconsistent" and required improvement.

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It said: "We found omissions in relation to the recording of searches of detainees, cell visits, provision of food and drink, contact with named persons, issue of medicine and washing."

HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland, Craig Naylor, said: “It was unclear if these gaps reflected poor and inconsistent practices or poor recording.

Inspectors have found fault with the custody centre at Dunfermline Police Station. (Image: Newsquest)

"However, we could not be confident these activities were taking place consistently.”

The inspection report contains 15 recommendations for Police Scotland and the NHS, including the creation of a secure holding area, a better location for CCTV observation of cells, removing the ligature risk at Dunfermline and improving record keeping.

They have also been asked to look at installing showers, identify an area for sharps bins and the safe disposal of syringes, step up infection prevention measures and make sure medicines aren't out of date.

The Dunfermline station was previously criticised in a 2019 report that highlighted disused toilets that had fallen into disarray and were being used to store equipment. 

There are 18 cells at Dunfermline and 15 at Kirkcaldy and inspectors assessed the treatment of detainees and the conditions they were kept in.

There are no washbasins within cells, no shower facilities at either centre and the air conditioning was described as "very poor", although kitchens were tidy and hygienic with a variety of foodstuffs available.

The booking in process was considered good practice but neither centre has a holding area.

This means detainees can be stuck in police vehicles in the car park, which can result in their "discomfort and agitation" during longer waits for processing.

Both sites were described as old with issues around the layout and general lack of facilities, with the "unconventional" charge bar in Dunfermline contributing to inefficient working.

Inspectors found adequate staffing levels and detainees were complimentary about the custody officers and their surroundings which were clean and reasonably well maintained.

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However there was no visible information about how a detainee could make a complaint regarding medical treatment.

And it was noted that while staff had been given electronic tablets to record observations about the detainees, they were not using them.

There was also no evidence that supervisors were promoting the use of the devices to ensure accurate and timely recording of cell visits.

The report highlighted "concerns regarding the incongruence between some of the risk assessments undertaken and the corresponding care plans put in place".

Again, Mr Naylor said this could be down to "poor recording rather than poor practice".

He added: "But it was difficult to draw conclusions in the absence of comprehensive records.”

There were plus points, with praise for the appointment of a pharmacist to oversee the management of medicines in custody centres, the availability of nurses offering harm reduction advice and take home Naloxone kits - which can be lifesaving in the event of an overdose - for detainees.

The report also said that, three months after the inspection, a death was recorded at the custody centre in Kirkcaldy in January.

It said the incident was being investigated and that it would be inappropriate to comment at this time.