§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the cost of having long-term prisoners in Peterhead prison taken to locations near their home for family visits; how many prisoners are transferred in this manner; and how many persons are brought from long distances at public expense to visit prisoners serving extended periods at the prison.
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§ Mr. RifkindPrisoners who are transferred from Peterhead to other prisons for accumulated visits travel by prison bus on the fortnightly draft which transfers prisoners for a variety of reasons, for example court appearances, liberations, etc.; the cost in relation to transfers for accumulated visits is, therefore, minimal. Each fortnightly draft includes, on average, between four and five prisoners being transferred for accumulated visits.
Visitors to Peterhead who qualify for supplementary benefits may claim assistance from the DHSS for travelling expenses, but the numbers who do this could not be identified without disproportionate cost. Among the solicitors who visit prisoners in Peterhead, some who travel long distances claim travelling expenses from the legal aid fund but the numbers are very small indeed.