§ Mr. Canavanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make a statement about the future role of the special unit at Barlinnie prison.
§ Mr. RifkindThe special unit is an establishment to which we attach considerable value and which fulfils an important role in the Scottish prison system. It has proved a viable means of dealing with certain types of prisoner during long periods of imprisonment. In our view, however, it is still too soon to judge its effectiveness in terms of the rehabilitation of the inmates. It is our intention that the unit should continue to operate broadly as in the past and as envisaged when it was first set up. Certain recent statements by both the supporters of the unit and its critics have resulted in publicity which has 867W done the unit harm, in particular by repeatedly suggesting that its future is in doubt, and this we greatly deplore.