§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many inmates in Peterhead prison are awaiting prosecution for assaults upon prison officers; and what length of time is taken before the reports are sent to the procurator fiscal in Peterhead.
§ Mr. AncramThree. Two other Peterhead prisoners in this category are at present temporarily located in other prisons. A report of an assault on prison staff is made to the police, by the governor, within 24 hours. It is, thereafter, the responsibility of the police to make any report to the procurator fiscal.
§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average period of time in the past year for which inmates of Peterhead prison who assault prison officers have been placed in solitary confinement and remained there until either charged or dealt with under prison regulations; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AncramApproximately 15 weeks. Where a report relating to an assault upon a prison officer by a prisoner is sent to the police, the governor had discretion under the prison rules to keep the prisoner out of normal circulation until charges are brought and thereafter, with the Secretary of State's permission, to keep him out of circulation in the interests of good order or discipline or in the prisoner's own interests until the charges have been dealt with. This is not a punishment and the prisoner has access to normal privileges other than association. The time spent after a charge has been brought is normally determined by the length of time it takes to bring a charge to court, a matter outwith the control of the prison authorities.
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§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many assaults on prison officers in Peterhead prison which were made in June and July have not yet been dealt with by the procurator fiscal.
§ Mr. AncramI understand that four assaults on prison officers in Peterhead prison in June and July for which two prisoners have been charged, have not yet been dealt with.