Perth Sheriff Court Custody Unit: Urgent Repairs Needed

0:00On April 2nd, inspectors dropped and unannounced on Perth Sheriff Court's custody unit last October and found the place in rough shape. Cells were freezing cold, covered in graffiti, with walls crumbling, damp spots, and no real heating or ventilation. Staff even had to pass out warm clothes and blankets to detainees who were straight up shivering. The units got five cells that can hold up to 14 people waiting for or after court hearings. Officers make it way worse, and inspectors saw firsthand a detainee begging for something to stay warm. Damage like that has been piling up for years, ignoring fixes suggested back in 2020. Staff came through big time though, professional, motivated, and all about keeping folks safe and care for. But the whole setup falls short on basics, like no ramps or accessible toilets, so they can't properly handle people with mobility issues and end up. Using witness rooms instead. This ain't new. Courtyer reports flag the same problems, and now they've dropped seven fresh recommendations.

1:01That means repainting, repairs, better heating, and ventilation to hit decent hygiene and decency standards. Chief Inspector Sarah Snell says these Agent Court units across Scotland need urgent cash to stay humane for staff and detainees alike. Court Service welcomes the report and vows to team up for real changes they keep safety and welfare first.