Custody suite usage and conditions

Request data on police custody suite use, occupancy, and healthcare provision.

People held in police custody are in a vulnerable position. Requesting this data can reveal how busy custody suites are, how long people are held, and whether healthcare needs are being met.

Dear [AUTHORITY NAME], Please provide the following information for [FINANCIAL YEAR e.g. 2024-25]: 1. The total number of people taken into police custody. 2. The average duration of custody. 3. The number of occasions a healthcare professional was called to attend a person in custody. 4. The number of complaints received about conditions in custody suites. I would prefer to receive this as a spreadsheet or CSV if possible. Yours faithfully, [YOUR NAME]
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Who to send it to#

Police Scotland. You can submit your request to their information management team.

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Tips#

  • HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) inspects custody facilities and publishes inspection reports. Check their website for the latest findings before submitting your request.
  • If you are interested in a specific custody suite, name it in the request.
  • The Independent Custody Visiting Scheme publishes annual reports that contain some data on custody conditions. This provides useful context for comparison.