Her Majesty's Prisons

HC Deb 12 April 1960 vol 621 cc1062-3

16. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he has taken during the last 10 years to survey the structural and topographical suitabilities for their present purposes of Her Majesty's prisons in Scotland; and if he will now make a detailed report on them, indicating Government policy with regard to them.

Mr. Maclay

The facilities available for the detention of offenders are kept under constant review, and an intensive scheme of modernisation and expansion to meet present day requirements is in progress. I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a note of the changes made and in contemplation.

Mr. Hughes

Again as a matter of principle, does the Secretary of State agree that these old-fashioned prisons make it very difficult for the governors, warders and prison reformers to carry out the ideals of the present age, and that these prisons are so out of date that they should be quickly changed into modern buildings?

Mr. Maclay

I am always wary about answering a supplementary question covering wide general principles. If the hon. and learned Gentleman will study the details which I am circulating he will realise that progress is being made.

Following is the note:

CHANGES IN PRISON AND BORSTAL ACCOMMODATION SINCE 1950

• New open prison (Penninghame) opened, and subsequently extended.
• Disused hall (Perth) renovated and reopened.
• Disused hall (Peterhead) in course of renovation.
1063
• Senior detention centre (Perth) to be opened this summer.
• New open Borstal Institution (Longriggend) to be opened this summer.
• Junior detention centre (Perth) to be opened next year.
• New Training House (Polmont) under construction.
• New remand centre and new prison for untried adult prisoners near Glasgow being planned.
• One prison (Duke Street) closed.
• A new Borstal Institution and further Detention Centres under consideration.
• At all establishments the existing buildings have been improved and additional buildings erected for worksheds, class-rooms, cookhouses, bath-houses, hospital blocks, dining halls, recreation rooms, etc.