HC Deb 24 May 1938 vol 336 cc1053-4W
Mr. McGovern

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will state the terms of prison rule No. 330, governing work for civil and other prisoners; and the extent to which this rule is complied with in Barlinnie Prison?

Mr. Wedderburn:

The terms of Prison Rule No. 330, which relates to civil and certain other special classes of prisoners, reads as follows: So far as prison arrangements may admit, facilities shall be given to such prisoners to work and follow their own proper respective trades and employments, and all earnings of such prisoners after payment thereout of such sum as the Governor may determine on account of the cost of their maintenance in the prison, and on account of the use of implements lent to them, shall belong to such prisoners. The number of these prisoners admitted to Barlinnie Prison is very small and in recent years there have been none to whom the Rule could be applied.

Mr. McGovern

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will state the terms of Prison Rule No. 345, governing the reception of prisoners; and the extent to which this Rule is complied with in Barlinnie Prison?

Mr. Wedderburn:

The terms of the Prison Rule referred to are as follow: After prisoners are received at the prison, an abstract of the rules relating to the conduct and treatment of prisoners shall be read over to them. At Barlinnie Prison the substance of the rules relating to their conduct and treatment is conveyed orally to prisoners after they are admitted, and in addition a printed copy of an abstract of the rules is placed in the cell of each prisoner for reference.

If a prisoner is illiterate the printed copy of the abstract is read over to him in extenso when he is admitted.