Union Raises Alarm on Staffing at St Leonard's Custody Centre
A union has issued a warning regarding dangerously low staffing levels at one of Scotland's busiest custody centres, following the release of an annual inspection report.
HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) and Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) conducted a joint inspection of St Leonard's Custody Centre in Edinburgh, resulting in ten recommendations aimed at improving various aspects of the facility.
The report highlighted staff concerns that the custody centre was "significantly understaffed," potentially compromising their ability to perform routine duties effectively.
Police Scotland responded by welcoming the findings and confirming that a review of staffing across its custody estate is underway.
David Malcolm from Unison said the report was "damning but not surprising".
The inspection, carried out in September of the previous year, noted that it was common for arresting officers to queue alongside detainees within the centre.
Detainee hygiene facilities were limited to hand and face washing only, and some staff expressed concerns that Police Scotland was not adequately addressing ongoing pressures within the custody environment.
The centre serves the regions of Edinburgh, Midlothian, East Lothian, and the Scottish Borders.
A detainee holding room was recently added to the facility; however, inspectors raised safety concerns after an officer was assaulted in this area.
Staff reported that since the opening of the holding facility, intoxicated and incapacitated detainees have obstructed exit routes, leading to "unwanted physical contact".
On one occasion, this obstruction reportedly resulted in a "physical assault" on staff.
The report includes a series of recommendations focused on enhancing operational effectiveness, improving recording standards, strengthening risk management, ensuring confidentiality, and refining governance arrangements.
Additionally, there are healthcare-specific recommendations addressing compliance with training, infection prevention and control, medicines management, and the custodial care environment.
These recommendations are directed at both Police Scotland and NHS Lothian.
'Staff Can't Take Breaks'
David Malcolm emphasized that the union has repeatedly raised concerns about understaffing with Police Scotland.
"The national staffing ratio of one member of staff to ten detainees isn't enough at one of Scotland's busiest locations," he said.
"Routine care is compromised, staff can't take breaks and recently a member of staff was assaulted in a poorly configured holding room."
Unison asserts that these issues are not isolated to St Leonard's but are present across custody centres throughout the country.
"Anyone detained deserves to be treated with dignity and custody staff must be safe while they work," said Malcolm.
"Unison will work with the force to ensure the report's recommendations are implemented. But the response so far has been wholly inadequate."
Police Scotland reiterated its commitment to addressing the findings and carefully considering the recommendations.
Chief Superintendent Chris Stewart stated:
"We work closely with local policing colleagues to mitigate any delays to processing people through our custody centres, many of whom will have significant vulnerabilities and complex needs.
We are already reviewing the staffing model for our entire custody estate, which includes resourcing, alongside improvements to policies, processes, and training, to ensure our custody provision provides a safe and secure environment for everyone".
