§ Mr. MallonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what arrangements are made for prisoners who are restricted to closed visits to have(a) visits from their legal advisers, and (b) consular visits; [38844]
(2) in which prisons there are prisoners restricted to closed visits and what are the numbers of prisoners involved. [39416]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe 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 Mr. Seamus Mallon, dated 30 October 1995:
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton has asked me to reply to your Questions about closed visits for prisoners in Scotland. These concerned (a) the arrangements for prisoners on closed visits to have visits from their legal advisers and consular officials, and (b) in which prisons there are prisoners restricted to closed visits and what are the numbers of prisoners involved.
As for as (a) is concerned, regardless of whether a prisoner is on closed visits, visits from prisoners' legal advisers are held in rooms specifically designated for that purpose. Consular visits are also held in these rooms. Both types of visits, in accordance with Prison Rules, take place within sight, but outwith the hearing, of prison staff.
On the (b) the information as at 25 October is as follows:
121W
Aberdeen 3 Barlinnie 50 Corton Vale 11 Dumfries 13 Edinburgh 9 Glenochil 33 Greenock 6 Inverness 3 Longriggend 9
Low Moss 6 Perth 11 Peterhead 1 Polmont 5 Shotts 7 Total 167