'Action plan underway’ as inspectors find little improvement in Derbyshire custody

Chief Prison Inspector Peter Clark and HM Inspector of Constabulary Wendy Williams claim “little improvement” has been made in Derbyshire Constabulary’s custody suites since a critical inspection five years ago.

Insufficient facilities are in place for detainees with disabilities and women are rarely being offered access to female officers or sanitary items.

However, the inspectors recognised that Derbyshire Constabulary is eager to make improvements.

They added: “The force was, however, open to challenge and recognised the weaknesses that needed addressing. We found committed staff and a strong culture of wanting to improve.

“Early discussions with the force gave us reassurance that it was taking our findings seriously, and we are confident that it will take the necessary steps to deliver the required improvements.”

The inspection, carried out in April, found just six recommendations from a past review of Derbyshire Constabulary’s custody facilities had since been implemented, and nine were still outstanding.

Some detainees were receiving poor outcomes as there had been little investment in the custody estate, with many potential ligature points requiring immediate attention.

Although the custody facilities in Derbyshire were generally clean, access to exercise, showers and books were not actively being offered.

Use of force was poorly recorded and handcuffs often remained in place for too long.

Inspectors were particularly concerned by the amount of unnecessary force used to remove detainees’ clothing.

The report also revealed “a significant number” of incidents where the force did not properly comply with custody law around booking in detainees and authorising their detention.

And the quality of custody records was generally poor with the reasoning behind key decisions not always noted down.

While just one incident was recorded in the previous ten months where a person in mental health crisis was taken into custody, children were still not receiving optimal outcomes because of a lack of sufficient partner engagement.

This meant too many children refused bail were detained overnight when the local authority should have provided alternative accommodation.

However, staff showed a good understanding of safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and generally only used force as a last resort.

Assistant Chief Constable Bill McWilliam said: “The inspection of our custody facilities, which took place in April, has been invaluable in enabling us to recognise improvements we needed to make.

“An action plan to remedy each of the areas for concern, as well as making further improvements over-and-above those areas, is well underway.

“The inspectorate has recognised that we are committed to making the necessary changes, as well as noting the positive attitudes of the team that will enable the improvements to be achieved.

“The report also recognised a positive culture among the teams within our custody facilities and stated that the attitude of the staff – and the care of their suspects – is of a good standard.”