The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) is currently preparing a visit to Scotland. The Committee’s findings and recommendations, as well as the responses of the relevant authorities concerning the reports on these visits are all public and can be consulted on their website (https://www.coe.int/en/weh/cpt/united-kingdom). During the 2025 visit, the CPT delegation will essentially be examining issues concerning police and prison settings, as well as secure care accommodation. 

The CPT has in the past appreciated the input of HLS in assisting the Committee understand the main issues affecting various places of deprivation of liberty in Scotland. They are keen to know of any information which will assist the CPT to obtain a balanced and up-to-date approach to the problems and challenges of persons being deprived of their liberty in Scotland.

In order to discuss the core issues with the visiting delegation, we met with them on 28 May 2025, raising a number of areas of concern including: over-crowding; minimum cell size; segregation; progression; mental health; remand; ageing population; deaths in custody; FAIs; OLRs; and data collection.