HC Deb 27 January 1988 vol 126 cc285-6W
Mr. Salmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what role he envisages for Peterhead prison within the Scottish penal system;

(2) what is his policy on the conclusion of the Buyers report into prisoners' grievances at Peterhead, that on balance the building of a new prison at Peterhead is justified;

(3) whether he will accept the recommendation of the Buyers report into prisoners' grievances at Peterhead on the establishment for new alternative secure units in Scottish prisons;

(4) when he intends to respond to the recommendation and points of note in the Buyers report into prisoners' grievances at Her Majesty's prison, Peterhead;

(5) if he will make a statement on Scottish prison policy.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

[holding answer 26 January 1988]: My right hon. and learned Friend made a speech on 25 January on penal policy and the operation of the Scottish prison service in Scotland. Copies of his speech have been placed in the Library. My right hon. and learned Friend indicated in his speech the main measures which he is pursuing in response, inter alia, to the advice put to him by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons (following his special investigation into grievances of prisoners at Peterhead).

For the time being Peterhead prison will operate with a reduced capacity. At present places are available for up to 60 long-term prisoners who present management or control problems; this capacity will be increased when D hall becomes available in December this year. There is also capacity for up to 50 long-term prisoners who are unable to go into normal circulation and for 20 local prisoners serving short sentences.

For the longer term, my right hon. and learned Friend is considering a range of options including the possibility of changing the plans for building a new prison at Peterhead. He has made it plain, however, that nothing has been decided yet and that this possibility is only one of the options for the future of Peterhead prison.

The Government's initial response to Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons' report on his inquiry into prisoners' grievances at Peterhead prison was published on 6 May. A number of recommendations have already been implemented. Action on other matters will be announced in due course.