§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many attacks were perpetrated upon prison officers in Scotland in each year since 1970; what was the punishment meted out to each offender in each case; and what was the compensation paid to the injured officer in each case.
§ Mr. RifkindThe number of assaults by inmates—other than those serving in borstal institutions—on prison officers in Scotland in each year since 1970 is as follows:
1970 45 1971 34 1972 44 1973 39 1974 51 1975 43 1976 51 1977 49 1978 63 1979 71 1980 (to 25 March) 16 Those who were found guilty of committing the assaults were dealt with either by the courts—which imposed custodial sentences ranging from seven years to 30 days—by the visiting committees—which awarded a variety of punishments, ranging from loss of a year's remission to the loss of privileges for varying periods—or the governors—who awarded a variety of punishments, ranging from loss of 14 days' remission to loss of privileges for varying periods.
It is open to victims to seek compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board. The Department does not hold records of any such claims.