§ Mr. Steelasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what measures are being taken to improve conditions in Edinburgh prison;
(2) what representations he has received about overcrowding in Edinburgh prison;
(3) if he will make a statement on conditions in Edinburgh prison.
§ Mr. RifkindAs a result of a substantial rise in the inmate population, numbers in Edinburgh prison are currently just over 700, as compared with the design capacity of 547, but have recently exceeded 800. At this level of overcrowding, inmates in certain halls have to be housed two, and in some instances three, to a cell. Representations have been received from my hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh, West (Lord James Douglas-Hamilton) and from the prison visiting committee.
In order to provide relief, the south wing at Polmont young offenders institution is being operated as an annexe of Edinburgh prison holding some 50 under-21 remand prisoners. As soon as necessary security measures currently in hand are completed, and subject to it being possible to provide sufficient accommodation for convicted young offenders, north wing at Polmont will be used for this purpose instead of south wing, allowing 30 additional under-21 remand prisoners from Edinburgh prison to be accommodated. No substantial reduction in overcrowding is, however, likely to be possible until phase II of Shotts prison becomes available for occupation early in 1987. Within the constraints imposed by overcrowding, everything possible is done to maintain a full and varied regime.