Scottish prisons aren’t all inspected the way prisons in England & Wales are. HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland (HMIPS) still carries out full inspections at some establishments, rating performance against nine Standards (from Good down to Unacceptable), but for most prisons it now monitors continuously through the year instead, using local volunteer Independent Prison Monitors (IPMs) who report their findings annually rather than through a single inspection visit.
HMIPS’s most recent monitoring report for HMP Castle Huntly, Scotland’s open prison, covers 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026, based on 52 visits and 164 IPM hours. Monitors judged the prison was “largely meeting its role as an open establishment focused on progression and reintegration”, describing “a predominantly settled and constructive prison environment”. Staff-prisoner relationships were “consistently observed” to be positive and respectful, purposeful activity was extensive – including a victim-awareness course monitors were impressed by – and healthcare was accessible, with waiting times comparable to the community.
A rising population led to periodic cell-sharing, which some prisoners resented as a “downgrade” from what they’d expected on arrival, though monitors found cell-mates were carefully matched and cells suitably sized. Parole dates were repeatedly pushed back due to late paperwork and inconsistent communication from external social work services, a backlog a dedicated recovery group had largely resolved by year end. Prisoners also raised the home leave allowance as too low, and recurring complaints about poor-quality bedding.
To read the full report, go to the HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland website or follow the link below:
- IPM Annual Monitoring Report (PDF), HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland, covering 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026