Inmates given 'customer satisfaction' survey

London: It was once considered something of a punishment. But a night in the cells is now followed by a "customer satisfaction" survey, with those detained in custody asked to rate the "services" on offer behind bars.

The hotel-style questionnaire asks their views on the brightness of the cells and the quality of the food on offer.

The survey will be given to 1,000 detainees as part of a pilot scheme by Devon and Cornwall Constabulary. Detainees will be invited to judge the quality of a variety of aspects of their incarceration, including the food, how "safe" they felt, cleanliness, lighting and air temperature, and the provision of towels.

The questionnaire begins by stating: "Devon & Cornwall are committed to providing the best possible service to people who are detained in custody.

"We would be grateful if you could complete the following survey and return it to the custody centre."

Recipients of the questionnaire are asked a total of 41 questions, the results of which will then eventually be entered into a database for analysis by senior officers.

One officer in the force, who did not wish to be named, said: "It is a bit rich really. These people are in the cell for a reason, it's not like they've come here on holiday. They are starting to treat the emergency cell buzzer like a room service hotline."

He added: "We are getting asked all sorts - to get them celebrity magazines, to put the air conditioning on, to bring them a salad. It's not funny after a while."

Key matters raised in prisons

• How would you rate the condition of your cell (for cleanliness, ventilation, temperature and lighting)?
• Were you offered anything to eat and drink?
• Was the food or drink suitable for your dietary requirements?
• Were you told how to make a complaint about the treatment you received inside the jail, if you needed to?