THE LORD ADVOCATE, in rising to move for leave to bring in a Bill for amending the Law relating to Prisons in Scotland, said: The principles of the Bill are the same as those on which the 149 measures relative to England and Ireland have been framed, and therefore I need not occupy the time of the House on that subject. We have been reducing the number of our prisons in Scotland very greatly of late years. Thirty years since we had 200 of those institutions, and they have been reduced to 56, of which 55 are managed by Local Boards. There are still a great deal too many of these local prisons. Some at times are nearly empty; others contain a population of not more than from five to ten at a time; and I believe the result of this measure would be to reduce the number very considerably, and to promote very largely economy and efficiency in the maintenance of those establishments. Since 1860, the date of our General Act, the local prisons of Scotland have been exclusively managed under rules framed by the Secretary of State, and the system so arranged has given great satisfaction. That system will be virtually continued. The Act of 1860 has been amended no fewer than three times by Acts of Parliament, and I may explain, in conclusion, that in framing this Bill we have endeavoured to bring the whole legislation in regard to prisons in Scotland within the compass of one statute.
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Motion agreed to.
Bill to amend the Law relating to Prisons in Scotland, ordered to be brought in by The LORD ADVOCATE and Mr. Secretary CROSS.
Bill presented, and read the first time. [Bill 4.]