Detention Centre, Glenochil

HC Deb 14 March 1984 vol 56 cc375-6

1. Mr. Steel

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the number of deaths at the young offenders institution and the detention centre at Glenochil.

The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. George Younger)

Since it opened in July 1976 there have been four inmate deaths at Glenochil young offenders institution. There was also a death at Glenochil detention centre on 16 February 1984, the first since it opened in July 1966.

Mr. Steel

Although the Secretary of State has rejected pleas for a public inquiry into the administration of the two institutions at Glenochil, will he accept that those of my constituents who have been in them have expressed grave disquiet to me about the regime of brutality among the inmates and some members of the staff? If the right hon. Gentleman does not want a public inquiry to take place, will he arrange for himself or his ministerial colleagues to talk privately about the character of the places to some of those who have been in the institutions?

Mr. Younger

I note what the right hon. Gentleman says, but I cannot accept what lies behind his question. The fatal accident inquiries which have taken place in every case—except one which has still to take place—have found no connection between the causes of the various deaths or any reason to relate these tragedies to the nature of the regime in the institution. I do not accept that there is any such connection in these instances.

Mrs. McCurley

Will my right hon. Friend define "regime"? Is this a reference to the punishment regime or to the way in which young offenders are treated by officials within the detention centre?

Mr. Younger

I am not sure whether my hon. Friend is referring to my views or to those that are set out in the various statements that have been made. The regime which is practised at the institution is in all senses humane, and it is intended that it should remain so in all circumstances. The claim that has been made—notably by the Scottish Council for Civil Liberties—that there may have been as many as 12 suicides—what the council chooses to call para-suicides—in Glenochil is wholly irresponsible. There have been four fatalities at the young offenders institution. One resulted from solvent abuse and three from suicides or accidental death. There has been only one death in the detention centre's 18-year history, during which it has received some 16,000 inmates. The accusations that have been made are irresponsible and should be denied.

Mr. Wilson

I accept the pattern that the Secretary of State has presented, but does he not feel some disquiet in the light of the more recent incidents that have taken place? There is a question mark against this institution which I think he and his Department can dispel; but, if necessary, he may have to take some action to allay public disquiet.

Mr. Younger

I feel considerable disquiet about every one of these incidents. No one can take lightly the fact that someone has died, for whatever reason, in one of these institutions. However, there have been fatal accident inquiries in every case and no connection has been found between the causes of the various deaths. Similarly, no connection has been found between the deaths and the nature of the regime. Therefore, there is no suggestion that the regime is responsible for these tragic events.

Mr. O'Neill

The Opposition recognise that fatal accident inquiries have exonerated the Glenochil staff. We appreciate what the Secretary of State has done and the constructive way in which he has approached the two latest fatalities. However, considerable strain is now being imposed upon the staff by the recurrence of fatalities. That strain is such that we must give close consideration to the regimes within the two institutions at Glenochil and to the sentencing policy which requires immature young people to be incarcerated and subjected to the strains that are imposed upon them and the staff. Will the right hon. Gentleman examine sentencing policy and the adjacent penal policy and try to find a way of resolving this succession of tragedies?

Mr. Younger

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for what he said at the beginning of his question. I very much support the line that he has taken. I should make it clear that the changes that were made in sentencing policy took effect only in November last year. Therefore, it is far too early to draw any conclusions. Sentencing is, of course, a matter for the courts. Having been laid down in statute, it is for the courts to find the most appropriate sentence in each case. I very much hope that the unwarranted accusations that have been made about this institution will now be laid to rest, as they have no foundation.