§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of the prison population are dyslexic; and what steps are taken to help such persons with difficulties experienced in educational or training courses undertaken. [4835]
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 13 December 1995]: The subject of the question relates to matters undertaken by the Scottish Prison Service. I have asked its chief executive, Mr. E. W. Frizzell, to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from E. W. Frizzell to Mrs. Maria Fyfe, dated 18 December 1995:
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton has asked me to reply to your Question relating to dyslexia and the prison population.I am afraid that the information you seek is not collected centrally. As a learning difficulty, dyslexia is most likely to surface amongst those prisoners taking part in education programmes. but not all prisoners participate in such programmes and even those who believe that they have learning difficulties may not come forward, thereby disguising the true numbers who are dyslexic.In general. where a prisoner is identified (during induction, sentence planning or through educational or other activities) as having special educational needs, attempts will he made to meet those needs, for example, by providing tuition on a one-to-one basis or by calling in specialist support, if the prisoner is willing to cooperate. and subject to resources being available.