§ Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what regulations are at present in force permitting inmates of Scottish prisons to work outside prison walls; in how many cases such permission has been granted during each of the last 10 years; and with what results.
§ Mr. NobleThe temporary release of prisoners may be authorised under Rule 28 (1) of the Prison (Scotland) Rules, 1952; the number of prisoners who have worked outside for varying periods with private employers under this power has increased from 7 in 1953 to 44 in 1962. It has also long been the practice for parties of selected prisoners to be allowed to work from time to time outside the prisons under the supervision of prison officers. On 14th June, 1963, some 46 prisoners were so working.
These arrangements have assisted materially in finding suitable employment for prisoners and in preparing them for release.