Borstals (Breakouts) (Hansard, 29 January 1981)

§ Mr. O'Neill
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many breakouts from borstal institutions have taken place in each of the following years: 1977, 1978, 1979 and 1980; how many trainees were involved in each breakout; and which institutions were involved.

§ Mr. Rifkind
The information requested is as follows:— 497W

Borstal Institution Year Abscondings

From within buildings Others (e.g. outside work parties)

Castle Huntly 1977 2 (1 of 2 inmates) 1 (1 of 1 inmate)

(1 of 4 inmates)

1978 1 (1 of 1 inmate) 1 (1 of 2 inmates)

1979 3 (3 of 2 inmates) 2 (1 of 1 inmate)

(1 of 2 inmates)

1980 2 (2 of 2 inmates) 1 (1 of 1 inmate)

Cornton Vale 1977 NIL 1(1 of 5 inmates)

1978 NIL NIL

1979 NIL NIL

1980 NIL NIL

Noranside 1977 3 (2 of 1 inmate) 2 (2 of 1 inmates)

1 (1 of 2 inmates)

1978 NIL 1 (1 of 2 inmates)

1979 1 (1 of 3 inmates) NIL

1980 1 (1 of 2 inmates) 1 (1 of 1 inmate)

Polmont 1977 1 (1 of 2 inmates) 9 (7 of 1 inmate)

(2 of 2 inmates)

1978 2 (1 of 1 inmate) 5 (3 of 1 inmate)

(1 of 2 inmates) (1 of 2 inmates)

(1 of 3 inmates)

1979 NIL 12 (9 of 1 inmates)

(2 of 2 inmates)

(1 of 3 inmates)

1980 6 (4 of 1 inmate) 13 (11 of 1 inmate)

(2 of 2 inmates) (2 of 2 inmates)

Note: The figures do not include inmates who failed to return from home leave and/or local leave.

§ Mr. O'Neill
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he was informed of the breakout of (a) six trainees from Polmont borstal on Wednesday 21 January and (b) one trainee on Sunday 25 January.

§ Mr. Rifkind
My right hon. Friend was informed during the afternoon of Thursday 22 January of the absconding of six inmates from Polmont borstal on the afternoon of Wednesday 21 January; and was informed on the morning of Tuesday 27 January of the absconding of a further inmate on the afternoon of Sunday 25 January.

§ Mr. O'Neill
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied that the procedure for informing him of borstal breakouts is being adhered to; and if he plans to review the procedure.

§ Mr. Rifkind
My right hon. Friend has not hitherto been personally informed, save in exceptional circumstances, about abscondings from Scottish borstal institutions. The arrangements under which he will be informed about such events in future are being reviewed.

Borstal Institution	Year	Abscondings
		From within buildings	Others (e.g. outside work parties)
Castle Huntly	1977	2 (1 of 2 inmates)	1 (1 of 1 inmate)
		(1 of 4 inmates)
	1978	1 (1 of 1 inmate)	1 (1 of 2 inmates)
	1979	3 (3 of 2 inmates)	2 (1 of 1 inmate)
			(1 of 2 inmates)
	1980	2 (2 of 2 inmates)	1 (1 of 1 inmate)
Cornton Vale	1977	NIL	1(1 of 5 inmates)
	1978	NIL	NIL
	1979	NIL	NIL
	1980	NIL	NIL
Noranside	1977	3 (2 of 1 inmate)	2 (2 of 1 inmates)
		1 (1 of 2 inmates)
	1978	NIL	1 (1 of 2 inmates)
	1979	1 (1 of 3 inmates)	NIL
	1980	1 (1 of 2 inmates)	1 (1 of 1 inmate)
Polmont	1977	1 (1 of 2 inmates)	9 (7 of 1 inmate)
			(2 of 2 inmates)
	1978	2 (1 of 1 inmate)	5 (3 of 1 inmate)
		(1 of 2 inmates)	(1 of 2 inmates)
			(1 of 3 inmates)
	1979	NIL	12 (9 of 1 inmates)
			(2 of 2 inmates)
			(1 of 3 inmates)
	1980	6 (4 of 1 inmate)	13 (11 of 1 inmate)
		(2 of 2 inmates)	(2 of 2 inmates)
Note: The figures do not include inmates who failed to return from home leave and/or local leave.