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Lancashire and Cumbria court custody – decent care compromised by poor conditions in some holding cells

Published:

Inspectors visited courts across Lancashire and Cumbria and found good progress since the last inspection in 2013.

Detainees in the three combined courts, one Crown court, and seven magistrates’ courts were being treated with kindness and compassion and many were very positive when reporting their treatment by staff. It was encouraging to see staff maintaining patience and care when dealing with agitated individuals. Despite the continued lack of a formal and consistent risk assessment for detainees on arrival, the overall identification and management of risk was reasonably good.

There was, however, great variability in conditions across the custody estate. Most cells were clean and well-maintained in Cumbria, but some of the facilities in Lancashire were barely fit for purpose, and only Preston Crown Court was suitable for detainees with impaired mobility.

Women and children in custody were held in cells and rooms apart from men, but too often they were sharing transport to and from courts with male detainees, especially from police stations. Partitions in most vehicles mitigated the impact of this.

Charlie Taylor, Chief Inspector of Prisons, commented on the multi-agency working in the courts: “The Prisoner Escort and Custody Services (PECS) arm of HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) had contracted GEOAmey on behalf of HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) to provide escort and court custody services in the region. Generally, we found that these agencies worked well together to improve outcomes, although a better focus on improvement was required.”

Notes to editors

  1. Read the Lancashire and Cumbria court custody report, published on 19 October 2022.
  2. HM Inspectorate of Prisons is an independent inspectorate, inspecting places of detention to report on conditions and treatment and promote positive outcomes for those detained and the public.
  3. Lancashire and Cumbria court facilities comprises three combined courts, one Crown court and seven magistrates’ courts, with a total of 87 cells. From 1 June 2021 to 31 May 2022 14,389 detainees were held.
  4. The Prisoner Escort and Custody Service (PECS) arm of HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) had contracted GEOAmey on behalf of HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) to provide escort and court custody services in the region.
  5. This inspection took place from 28 July to 10 August 2022.
  6. Please email media@hmiprisons.gov.uk if you would like more information.