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Deaths in Scottish prisons at record high.

(99 Posts)
grannydarkhair Wed 30-Nov-22 11:34:33

The report studies data going back to 1995, and shows the rate of suicide and drug related deaths in Scottish prisons is significantly higher than in England.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-63780998

nanna8 Fri 02-Dec-22 04:21:01

But don’t you have safe injecting rooms for addicts ? I find it hard to believe there aren’t any. Bizarre.

volver Fri 02-Dec-22 07:02:11

Scottish government wants them, Westminster government won't allow it.

nanna8 Fri 02-Dec-22 07:41:30

They should just do it. Like to see the southerners try to close it once it is there !

Aveline Fri 02-Dec-22 10:26:01

That's not addressing the why of it. Damage limitation is one thing but addressing the underlying cause of the huge amount of drug abuse is another.

Grantanow Fri 02-Dec-22 11:27:29

The prison system is the direct responsibility of government, whether in Scotland or elsewhere, and it is not 'wicked' or politically opportunistic to point out that it's often a low priority for politicians because it's a low priority for most voters. The 'tragedy' is that is the case.

volver Fri 02-Dec-22 11:47:42

Grantanow

I wouldn't hold my breath for any improvement. Sturgeon and the SNP know there are no votes in prisons policy and they are completely obsessed with the independence delusion.

It's wicked to say that a government aren't interested in something that causes people to die because they are obsessed with something else. Especially if in saying that one is trying to discredit the government in question and reinforce the perception that the opposition are trying to build, that they are not interested in anything except Independence.

And that's what you said.

Galaxy Fri 02-Dec-22 12:05:49

I think the situation in prisons is generally not a high priority for any government or people in general, I personally am not trying to denigrate anyone, it's just a brutal reality.

Grantanow Fri 02-Dec-22 18:17:28

Twaddle. The Scottish government does not have a very good record on some domestic policies such as education and the NHS and discredits itself on that front. The fact is that for many voters prison problems are much lower down the priority list than the cost of living, housing and other immediately concerning issues and it is not 'wicked' to draw attention to this.

Casdon Fri 02-Dec-22 18:27:08

Grantanow

Twaddle. The Scottish government does not have a very good record on some domestic policies such as education and the NHS and discredits itself on that front. The fact is that for many voters prison problems are much lower down the priority list than the cost of living, housing and other immediately concerning issues and it is not 'wicked' to draw attention to this.

What is ‘wicked’ though is suggesting that the prison system in Scotland is performing much worse tan the prison systems in the rest of the UK without some evidence to back up your claim. There’s a lot of information about prisons, but I can’t find anything that suggests you are right.

Cathymac Fri 02-Dec-22 19:26:06

This article from 2019 shows Scottish prison death rates .. amongst highest in Europe…unfortunately
www.Scotsman.com/regions/death-rate-scotlands-prisons-among-highest-europe-1420719

volver Fri 02-Dec-22 19:32:20

The article also shows that death rates in England and Wales were amongst the highest in Europe. 35 in E&W, compared to 39 in Scotland and a European average of 26.

Sweden's is 7

That puts a different spin on it wouldn't you say?

Cathymac Fri 02-Dec-22 19:51:08

Yes. The uk is not doing well

Aveline Fri 02-Dec-22 19:53:12

Considering the difference in population between England and Scotland, Scotland's number of deaths in prison is very high indeed.

Galaxy Fri 02-Dec-22 19:53:56

Sweden is though, based on a model of rehabilitation that seems to result in low re offending rates.

volver Fri 02-Dec-22 19:56:37

Aveline

Considering the difference in population between England and Scotland, Scotland's number of deaths in prison is very high indeed.

Its a ratio.

Absolute numbers don't matter.

volver Fri 02-Dec-22 20:03:14

"Don't matter" was the wrong choice of words on my part.

"Don't impact the results" would have been better.

Casdon Fri 02-Dec-22 20:47:46

Aveline

Considering the difference in population between England and Scotland, Scotland's number of deaths in prison is very high indeed.

This year, yes - but deaths in prison are not the only measure of the effectiveness of the prison system. The UK is doing poorly compared with other countries in Europe and wider, and overall Scotland is not doing worse than any other UK country, surely that’s the point?
www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/nov/01/britain-prisons-us-system

Aveline Fri 02-Dec-22 21:00:36

Overall Scotland's rate of deaths in prison is higher and life expectancy in general in Scotland is lowest in the UK.
Something is going badly wrong somewhere and especially in Scotland

volver Fri 02-Dec-22 21:20:21

Like a dog with a bone....

volver Fri 02-Dec-22 21:24:02

From the actual article you linked to Aveline.

Despite Scotland’s comparatively low life expectancy, a European survey published last October suggested it had the highest quality of life of the four UK nations, considering factors such as health, safety, access to education and personal rights.

volver Fri 02-Dec-22 21:41:06

Oops sorry it was Cathymac who posted the link, not Aveline.. Sorry.

Aveline Fri 02-Dec-22 22:09:20

Health? Access to education? Personal rights? Did that study actually look at Scotland? Our Health service is dire, education standards have plummeted and try telling the 'Women won't wheesht' women about our personal rights.
You're right. I am like a dog with a bone when even thinking about how badly Scotland is currently run.
Woof woof 🐾

volver Fri 02-Dec-22 22:14:39

Just the facts ma'am, just the facts. 😉

Everybody's wrong but you. 😂

volver Fri 02-Dec-22 22:25:13

Actually maybe Cathymac didn't post it either. hmm I shouldn't post while I'm watching Gogglebox. 😜

Grantanow Fri 02-Dec-22 23:45:51

Casdon: I made no comparison between deaths in Scottish prisons and those in the rest of the UK in any of my posts. You should read more carefully so as not to misrepresent my observations.