Trauma-Informed Approaches in Custody

In 2019, a study by the University of Strathclyde found that staff at HMP & YOI Polmont utilised trauma-informed approaches in their work. This included providing emotional support (listening, talking, empathy) and practical problem-solving support (giving advice, providing information, and organising contact with family).

The study also found that awareness-raising training and the existence of a specialist service to fall back on increased staff confidence and willingness to broach difficult subjects with young people.

In May 2023, a report on trauma-informed training in police custody by the Scottish Institute for Policing Research found that trauma-informed training had positive impacts in relation to police knowledge, attitudes and behaviour.

Recommendations from the study included:

• Working towards a multi-agency approach to help the best possible custody experience and referral
  pathways for women in custody.
• Trauma-informed training should be ongoing.
• Opportunities for staff discretion with certain custody procedures (e.g., strip search, use of restraint),
  should be communicated with clear guidance.
• Services should pay greater attention to the application of trauma-informed approaches in police
  staff support.

The Authority’s Independent Custody Visiting Scheme in Scotland utilises volunteers from the community who make unannounced visits to police custody centres to check the treatment of people, including children, in custody, and to assess the conditions in which they are detained.

The ICVS 2024/25 report will be released in June 2025 on the Authority’s website.

HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) publishes custody inspection reports for facilities across Scotland’s Division areas on their website. HMICS publish the status of recommendations online, including any related to trauma, to keep the public updated on organisational progress as part of their Scrutiny Plan 2025-28.