§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will investigate the circumstances in which four prison officers were injured at Peterhead prison on Friday 7 May; and if he will publish the result of his investigation in the Official Report.
§ Mr. Allan StewartI have received a detailed report on the incident in Peterhead prison on Friday, 7 May, in the course of which I regret that four members of the staff were injured. I am glad that none of the injuries, though painful, were such as to require the officers to be detained in hospital. Thanks to the prompt and resolute actions of the governor and his staff, the incident was quickly brought under control. I see no need for any further investigation.
§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether there is a shortage of prison officers at the Peterhead prison; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Allan StewartThe present staff complement of Peterhead prison is 213, and on 1 May 1982 there were 211 staff in post. Discussions are presently proceeding120W between the governor and the local branch of the Scottish Prison Officers Association on a new roster which would provide for an increase in the manning level of the prison.
§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the £1 million improvement project at Peterhead prison will be completed; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Allan StewartThe £1 million improvement programme at Peterhead prison is well advanced and should be completed by the end of 1983. The upgrading of the cell blocks by the extension and modernisation of toilet facilities and the provision of showers, the improvement of heating and the installation of roof light security grilles and gallery safety nets, to protect staff as well as to improve security, has reached the halfway stage: one hall has been completely upgraded, work in the second hall is 50 per cent. complete and a third hall remains to be done. Rehabilitation of the main workshed, including installation of new heating, toilets and dust extraction equipment was completed last year. A new utility hall which serves as a sports hall and cinema was also completed in 1981. New centralised boiler plant has been installed, and the improved heating system will be in operation by October 1982. Upgrading and extension of the kitchen is well advanced and is expected to be completed by September 1982. The security wall for the new 10 cell unit has been completed and work on the unit itself is scheduled to begin next month with completion in mid-1983.
Within the constraints imposed by the design of a prison built in the last century, the improvements we are undertaking will go a significant way towards making living conditions more satisfactory for inmates as well as providing better working conditions for staff.
§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures are taken at Peterhead prison to protect prison officers from attack by dangerous inmates of the prison; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Allan StewartStaff are trained in the handling of dangerous prisoners and are deployed by the governor in such a way as to guard, so far as is possible, against the possibility of attack. Thes deployments and the security procedures followed are always kept under review. En addition, protective equipment is available to the governor for issue when circumstances warrant, and staff are regularly trained in its use.
§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any plans to pay an official visit to Peterhead prison to inspect the improvement project there.
§ Mr. Allan StewartThe Secretary of State hopes to visit Peterhead prison during the summer recess.