The majority of Scotland's female prisoners are living in unacceptable conditions as a result of overcrowding.
An inspector's report published on Tuesday has blasted the country's only women's prison, Cornton Vale, saying conditions there are having a negative impact on both inmates and staff.
HM Inspector of Prisons, Hugh Monro, insists the jail near Stirling does not provide even the most basic of necessities for all prisoners, including young offenders.
The inspectors singled out toilets for criticism because of the "complicated" electronic unlocking system in the Bruce and Younger blocks. Some prisoners are left waiting for as long as two hours to go to the toilet while others resort to using a sink.
His report said: "Cornton Vale is in a state of crisis and an ever-increasing prisoner population is one of the main causes."
On the first day of inspection last September, 399 prisoners were being held in the 375-capacity Cornton Vale. The report praises prison staff for their efforts to deal with the "serious situation" in the jail.
However, it continues: "Cornton Vale is not performing to a satisfactory standard and falls short in the provision of adequate conditions and treatment for prisoners and young offenders.
"The conditions in which most of the women live are unacceptable. The fabric of the estate looks and feels run down."
The standard of food, bedding, toilets and showers in the older housing blocks is described as "unsatisfactory". The report also claims that the length of time prisoners spend locked in cells has increased since the last inspection in 2006.
Mr Monro said: "Too many prisoners, particularly those on remand, spend far far too long locked in cells and not in gainful activity."
The quality of exercise and time in the open air is described as "poor". The report said an alternative toilet system should be put in place as a "matter of priority".
It also suggests changes be made to the practice of prisoners being taken on lengthy journeys to appear in far-flung courts when local accommodation and videoconferencing could be used in some instances. In some cases, prisoners on trial at Inverness Sheriff Court face a seven-hour round trip every day.
The recent appointment of the third governor at the jail in 14 months is evidence of a sense of "drifting" at Cornton Vale, according to the report. Senior managers are "overstretched" and have "too many responsibilities".
The prison came under the spotlight in the 90s because of the high number of women committing suicide. Eight prisoners ended their lives between 1995 and 1998. However, the report notes that there have been no suicides since the last inspection in 2006.
The prison is praised for its safety record, its family contacts and its links with community-based organisations to help prisoners upon their release into the community. The report said: "Many of the staff are performing well in difficult conditions and circumstances."
When inspectors last visited, two children were living with their mothers in the prison, one in independent-living accommodation, and 10 inmates were pregnant.
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