§ Sir John Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland for what reasons and in what circumstances male and female prisoners are strip-searched in Her Majesty's prisons in Scotland; and what contribution such searches make to prison security.
§ Mr. John MacKayStrip searches of male and female prisoners in penal establishments in Scotland are carried out for security reasons to prevent prisoners having concealed weapons or contraband substances—for example, drugs. The circumstances in which strip searches are carried out are(a) as part of normal admission and discharge procedures; (b) when a prisoner is being transferred to a segregation unit; (c) during routine cell searches and special cell searches where there is reason to believe that contraband or weapons are being concealed; (d) following "open" visits; (e) on leaving prison to attend a court hearing.
61WSuch searches are crucial to the maintenance of prison security.