§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make an inquiry into how prisoners at the special unit in Barlinnie were able to come into the possession of drugs; and if he will make a statement on the general security arrangements at Barlinnie.
§ Mr. YoungerOn Saturday 21 June 1980 one prisoner in the special unit at Barlinnie prison was found to be under the influence of drugs. The matter has been investigated by Strathclyde police and a visitor to the unit has been charged in connection with the incident.
Security arrangements at Barlinnie are kept constantly under review. Any additional security measures considered necessary in the light of this event and of current investigations into the recent escapes will be put into operation as appropriate.
§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will ensure that inquiries into recent events at Barlinnie will include investigation of whether there was any link between the cultural festival and the smuggling into the prison of drink and drugs, the questioning of visitors to the prison at the time of the cultural festival, a review of the arrangements surrounding prisoners' temporary transference to prisons nearer their homes, how and why the three escaped prisoners were left on their own long enough to escape, whether there was a warning that an escape attempt was imminent; and why adequate action was not taken.
§ Mr. YoungerAs my hon. Friend knows, the incident involving the taking of drugs by an inmate in the special unit at Barlinnie prison has been investigated406W by the police and a visitor to the unit has been charged in this connection. The other matters referred to by my hon. Friend will all be taken into account in considering the outcome of the current investigations into the recent escape by three prisoners from Barlinnie.