Mr. Edward Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to investigate and resolve the complaints by prison officers at Barlinnie Prison; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellThe present complaints by prison officers at Barlinnie prison relate to a recent decision on the allocation of two staff houses to senior officers. My Department has met representatives of the staff concerned and is taking action to relieve the immediate difficulties. In addition a meeting has been arranged for 5th July at which a wide variety of matters relating to staff housing for prison officers generally, including the position at Barlinnie, will be discussed with the executive committee of the Scottish Prison Officers' Association. The Barlinnie staff were informed on 27th June of these developments.
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Mr. Edward Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the effects of the work to rule by prison officers at Barlinnie prison and, in particular, the extent to which this activity is affecting the appearance of persons on criminal charges in court.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellAs a result of the work to rule by prison officers at Barlinnie it has been necessary to forgo industrial work for inmates, and recreation for those inmates who would normally have been accorded this privilege. The daily routines of dining, exercising and bathing and release from custody in due course of law, are being carried out in the normal way. Some delays have occurred in producing persons for appearance in court, but courts have been able generally to adjust their schedules to meet this situation, and no special problems have arisen. On only one occasion was it found to be impossible to produce untried prisoners from Barlinnie for a pleading diet in court, but in this case their legal representatives were present to plead on their behalf.