HC Deb 17 March 1981 vol 1 c84W
Mr. Russell Kerr

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether correspondence to and from inmates at the Barlinnie special unit is being censored.

Mr. Rifkind

Correspondence to and from an inmate in the Barlinnie special unit is censored during his induction period which lasts for a minimum of three months. Following this he is normally allowed the privilege of uncensored correspondence. The governor, however, retains the right to censor all correspondence at all times. The content of uncensored correspondence is subject to the normal prison rules on correspondence and, if there is reason to suspect at any time that an inmate is in breach of these rules, the privilege of uncensored mail may be withdrawn.