MCDOUGALL QUIZZES DECISION ON PRISON VISITING
Published 18 Jan 2012 09:30
MARGARET McDougall MSP for the West of Scotland recently quizzed Justice Minister Kenny MacAskill on the Scottish Government's plans for prison visiting committees.
The Scottish Government has recently announced, after a long consultation process, that prison visiting committees would be replaced by a new dedicated independent advocacy service for prisoners.
Margaret McDougall said: "The SNP Government came in to power stating they would rule be consensus and agreement, well where is that consensus and agreement here?
"Prison visiting committees were widely praised in the consolation process and play an important role in the independent monitoring of prisons and prisoner conditions; they are a vital part of our justice system.
"Many people are concerned about the knock on effect of removing these services replacing it with one that is either government controlled or put out to tender and then paid for by the Scottish Government.
"Serious questions have been raised about whether the independent service will be able to provide a better level of service and support, its accountability and how much it will all cost.
"This is an issue that will not go away and Scottish Labour will continue to protect the welfare of prisoner."
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