Source · SPSO (Scottish Public Services Ombudsman)

Scottish Prison Service

SPSO (Scottish Public Services Ombudsman) Not Upheld Reference 201305412 Sector Prisons Category exercise and time in the open air Decided 01 May 2015

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Full decision

Summary

Mr C complained to us that the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) failed to properly maintain the weights and cardiovascular equipment in two fitness rooms within a residential hall, a weights room and cardiovascular room. We did not find evidence to support this and did not uphold this aspect of Mr C's complaint. The SPS had also, however, decided to remove what had been the weights room, and although this decision was discretionary, we were concerned that there was a lack of clarity around the future use of the room.

Mr C also complained that the SPS failed to provide prisoners with adequate access to the prison's main gym. We found that there was different access to the main gym, but that the prison has the authority to offer this, as the prison rules allow for different provisions to be in place for prisoners located in different parts of the prison. Again, we did not uphold the complaint.

Mr C also complained about the SPS's handling of his complaint. We found that, although some information was not recorded as required by the complaints process, they had responded in reasonable terms. On balance, we did not uphold this complaint.

Recommendations

We recommended that SPS: finalise the plans for the former weights room as soon as possible and confirm this to us.

Related reading

View Decision Report 201305412 as a PDF (12.17 KB) Updated: March 13, 2018

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