Occupancy levels within the Prison and Probation Service are resulting in reduced opportunities for inmates to receive visits

As occupancy levels become increasingly strained, the Prison and Probation Service is increasingly using visiting rooms as cells for inmates. The Parliamentary Ombudsman stresses that visits are of vital importance for inmates and believes that there is an imminent risk of the authorities going too far and applying the rules in a way that erodes the right to visits and it will eventually become meaningless. She recognises that in the current circumstances, it may be necessary to temporarily place inmates in areas other than normal cells, but believes that, in principle, inmates should not be accommodated in visiting rooms. When this does happen, it is very important in her view that it does not become a permanent solution. She considers that the Prison and Probation Service must strive to return to using visiting rooms for their intended purpose as soon as possible and should consider compensation measures that could be taken in the meantime to reduce the negative impact on inmates.

The Parliamentary Ombudsman states that developments in this area give cause for concern, and she considers that it is a matter of urgency for the Prison and Probation Service to plan for and ensure that existing and new premises have sufficient room for visitor activities. She intends to monitor developments in this area.