Staffordshire custody suites a mixed picture according to HMIP

HM Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) has now published its latest report following an unannounced inspection which took place in April.

They visited custody suites in Watling Street, Gailey, and Stafford as well as those in Stoke-on-Trent and Tamworth.

Inspectors were concerned to find that performance information was not comprehensive and monitoring was limited, making it difficult to assess how well custody services performed.

The also raised issue with the fact governance of the use of force was poor and there was not sufficient information to show that its use was always proportionate.

Inspectors also stated CCTV monitoring of detainees on constant observations did not comply with professional guidance and not all of the force’s procedures and practices complied with the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE).

The report said: "We had concerns about the way some CCTV monitoring of detainees on constant observations was carried out as we saw staff performing other tasks at the same time, which was distracting and contrary to guidance."

Whilst they noted although outside the force’s direct control, the arrangements for obtaining appropriate adults sometimes led to long delays; and despite some progress, health services still lacked effective clinical leadership.

They said: "Children and vulnerable adults did not always receive prompt support from AAs (appropriate adults).

"Record keeping was poor and there was no monitoring of how long detainees waited.

"We found delays both in requesting AAs and in the time they took to arrive.

"Although some AAs arrived promptly after being called, there were several cases where detainees spent longer in custody because of delays, including detainees being held overnight. In some cases, no AA arrived.

"Vulnerable adults were routinely fingerprinted without an AA present, which was a breach of PACE."

The watchdog was however pleased to find that in most cases, custody staff treated detainees with care and compassion and there was effective partnership working to address the issue of detainees with mental ill health who were brought into custody as a place of safety.

The report stated officers used a range of alternatives to avoid taking children into custody and that the force was open and transparent, and the ethics transparency and audit panel, made up of members of the public, provided effective external scrutiny and reflected a desire by the police and partners to improve.

It also said the number of potential ligature points identified in the custody suite was relatively low and once highlighted, the force responded promptly.

A statement from HMIP added: "Despite some mixed findings from this inspection, detainees in police custody in Staffordshire are likely to be held safely and decently. We are optimistic that the force has the capacity and commitment to make the changes required to provide further improvement. This report provides six recommendations to the force and highlights 26 areas for improvement and one example of good practice.”

Staffordshire Police Assistant Chief Constable Emma Barnett said: “We fully take onboard the observations and recommendations made by HMIP and HMIC during this joint inspection, and continue to work to ensure everyone in custody is held safely.

“I am pleased that inspectors acknowledged good practice in a number of areas, in particular the ongoing work with our partners, to safeguard children and detainees who have mental health issues.

“We are not complacent and whilst some excellent progress has been made, we need to do more to improve in the areas highlighted. Work is already underway to make sure we address these issues to provide an even better service."