Peterhead Prison (Hansard, 15 July 1982)

§ Mr. Foulkes
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what considerations led to the proposal to build a special 10-cell unit at Peterhead prison; what is the current estimated cost of the unit; and what regime is proposed for the unit.

§ Mr. Allan Stewart
The decision to build a 10-cell unit at Peterhead prison was taken in 1979 following consultations with the Scottish Prison Officers' Association because a need had been identified within the Scottish prison system for a unit to accommodate particularly difficult prisoners who required to be removed, for whatever reasons, from normal circulation within our adult penal establishments. The current estimated cost of the unit is £425,000. The regime will vary depending on the particular circumstances and requirements of the prisoners in the unit.

Prison Design Capacity Population at 6 July 1982 ^*First used for offenders Classification of Prisoners†

Aberdeen 176 184 1903 Local prisoners serving sentences of eighteen months or less.

Older prisoners serving sentences of over eighteen months allocated to an ordinary prison.

Local untried prisoners.

Barlinnie‡ 899 1,110 1880–86 Local prisoners serving sentences of eighteen months of less (includes a special unit which provides accommodation for up to 10 inmates for the treatment of certain long-term prisoners).

Local untried prisoners.

Dumfries 27 37 1883 Local untried prisoners.

Dungavel 151 117 1975 Selected prisoners who by their behaviour and outlook are considered suitable for semi-open conditions.

Edinburgh 524 727 1919–25 Local prisoners serving sentences of eighteen months or less.

First offenders serving sentences of over eighteen months allocated to a trade-training prison and others who have earned through their conduct and industry first offender status.

Local untried prisoners.

Inverness 79 113 1902 Local prisoners serving sentences of eighteen months or less.

Prisoners who require to be held for a time under a more stringent regime than that at other prisons.

Local untried prisoners.

Low Moss 383 375 1969 Selected prisoners with sentences mainly of six months or less.

Penninghame 68 60 1954 Selected prisoners who by their behaviour are considered suitable for open conditions.

Perth 519 508 1842 Local prisoners serving sentences of eighteen months of less.

Prisoners other than first offenders serving sentences of over eighteen months allocated to a trade-training prison.

Local untried prisoners.

Peterhead‡ 354 199 1888 Prisoners serving sentences of over eighteen months allocated to an ordinary prison.

Shotts 60 57 1978 Selected prisoners serving a wide range of sentences transferred from other prisons.

^* Because prisons tend to be altered and/or added to over the years it is not possible to give the age of each part. This column therefore gives the year or years in which the establishment was first used to house offenders.

† The main purpose of the classification of prisoners is to keep those of a broadly similar character together. Initial classification is determined by a number of factors including age, aptitude, length of sentence and previous criminal record. Re-classification during sentence is determined by the prisoner's response while in custody. The regime at each prison is determined by the classification of its inmates.

‡ At present a number of prisoners of Peterhead classification are being held at Barlinnie prison to facilitate refurbishing work at Peterhead.

§ Mr. Foulkes
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list all planned male prisons, units of additional penal provisions in Scotland, with capacities and proposed treatment regimes.

§ Mr. Allan Stewart
The required information is as follows:
470W

§ Mr. Foulkes
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from the Scottish Prison Officers Association or other bodies of, or representing, prison officers concerning the 10-cell unit at Peterhead.

§ Mr. Allan Stewart
None, following the decision to build a unit which was taken after consultation with the Scottish Prison Officers' Association.

Prison	Design Capacity	Population at 6 July 1982	^*First used for offenders	Classification of Prisoners†
Aberdeen	176	184	1903	Local prisoners serving sentences of eighteen months or less.
				Older prisoners serving sentences of over eighteen months allocated to an ordinary prison.
				Local untried prisoners.
Barlinnie‡	899	1,110	1880–86	Local prisoners serving sentences of eighteen months of less (includes a special unit which provides accommodation for up to 10 inmates for the treatment of certain long-term prisoners).
				Local untried prisoners.
Dumfries	27	37	1883	Local untried prisoners.
Dungavel	151	117	1975	Selected prisoners who by their behaviour and outlook are considered suitable for semi-open conditions.
Edinburgh	524	727	1919–25	Local prisoners serving sentences of eighteen months or less.
				First offenders serving sentences of over eighteen months allocated to a trade-training prison and others who have earned through their conduct and industry first offender status.
				Local untried prisoners.
Inverness	79	113	1902	Local prisoners serving sentences of eighteen months or less.
				Prisoners who require to be held for a time under a more stringent regime than that at other prisons.
				Local untried prisoners.
Low Moss	383	375	1969	Selected prisoners with sentences mainly of six months or less.
Penninghame	68	60	1954	Selected prisoners who by their behaviour are considered suitable for open conditions.
Perth	519	508	1842	Local prisoners serving sentences of eighteen months of less.
				Prisoners other than first offenders serving sentences of over eighteen months allocated to a trade-training prison.
				Local untried prisoners.
Peterhead‡	354	199	1888	Prisoners serving sentences of over eighteen months allocated to an ordinary prison.
Shotts	60	57	1978	Selected prisoners serving a wide range of sentences transferred from other prisons.
^* Because prisons tend to be altered and/or added to over the years it is not possible to give the age of each part. This column therefore gives the year or years in which the establishment was first used to house offenders.
† The main purpose of the classification of prisoners is to keep those of a broadly similar character together. Initial classification is determined by a number of factors including age, aptitude, length of sentence and previous criminal record. Re-classification during sentence is determined by the prisoner's response while in custody. The regime at each prison is determined by the classification of its inmates.
‡ At present a number of prisoners of Peterhead classification are being held at Barlinnie prison to facilitate refurbishing work at Peterhead.