§ Mr. HoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many prisoners are in solitary confinement for disciplinary measures and how many prisoners are in solitary confinement for their own safety, in Scotland.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonUnder rule 43 of the Prison (Scotland) Rules 1952, a prisoner may, as a punishment, be confined to his cell for a limited period on the authority of the governor or the visiting committee. This punishment is awarded very rarely and no prisoner is subject to it at present. Under rule 36 of the prison rules, a prisoner may be removed from association, with the authority of the visiting committee or the Secretary of State, in the interests of good order or discipline, or in his own interests. This is not a punishment, and the prisoner has access to normal privileges other than association. At 31 January 1988, 68 adult inmates were being held under this rule.