Safety fears about custody arrangements for prisoners at Arbroath Sheriff Court influenced the decision to close the facility, it has emerged.
Issues raised in a Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons report obtained by The Courier include a drunk member of the public being witnessed approaching an escort vehicle and verbally abusing the manager. The senior staff member said this was a “regular” occurrence.
Access to the court is deemed by the report to present “a significant risk” as escort vehicles are forced to park at the front, with prisoners disembarked and walked, double cuffed, across the pavement to enter.
The report noted six people were seen arriving in such a fashion on the inspection day and, although police assistance can be called on, stated members of the public, officers, security officials and prisoners themselves were put “at risk” by the method.
The Scottish Courts Service revealed the information in the course of dialogue with Angus South MSP Graeme Dey and Angus MP Mike Weir.
The SNP pair met SCS chief executive Eric McQueen to discuss the issues surrounding the decision to switch the proposed court closure in Angus to Arbroath from Forfar, which was originally planned.
Mr Dey said: “The SCS admit Arbroath offered advantages in terms of transport convenience but believe that Forfar is the better option, given its scope for future development.
“And they made clear that the standard of custody provision at Arbroath was a determining factor in opting ultimately to propose closing it.”
The report, published in May last year, highlighted issues with court cell overcrowding, which it said led to prisoners spilling over to Arbroath police station on average two or three times a month.
It also revealed a live fire evacuation practice for staff and prisoners had never been staged because of “unsuitable evacuation procedures”.
The report notes two six-cell vehicles parked outside would not be enough to handle the average custody population of 15-18 prisoners.
Mr Dey added: “Such are the physical constraints placed upon the court by its location, it is difficult to see how these problems could be tackled adequately.”
The SCS estimates reforms which incorporate the proposed closure of 10 sheriff courts including Arbroath, Cupar and Stonehaven could save £1.3 million annually and provide a one-off saving of £3m.
However, the plans have been met with criticism from many quarters.
Mr Weir said: “The imperative must be to retain a full court service in Angus. And the discussions which are taking place between SCS and Angus Council over the adjoining buildings in Forfar should be recognised as an acceptance of that on the part of the SCS and give confidence as to the future.”
Both he and Mr Dey have raised a number of issues with the SCS, including public transport access from the coastal strip to Forfar, should the closure proceed.
Earlier this week The Courier revealed a public meeting, led by solicitor Nick Whelan, would be held to debate the planned closure.
A spokesperson for SCS said: “In assessing the relative merits between Forfar and Arbroath there were a range of factors considered, including transport, building layout, custody facilities and secure routes.
“We have had very constructive discussions on public transport and we will be flexible in programming court business for certain locations in Angus to ensure a reasonable arrival and departure time for witnesses and accused persons.”