Prison Visiting Committees

As an amendment to motion S4M-01878 in the name of Annabel Goldie (Prison Visiting Committees), leave out from “notes with concern” to end and insert “recognises the dedication and commitment of volunteer members of prison visiting committees but considers that, since the role and remit of the committees were designed in the 19th century, it is necessary now to develop an appropriate service fit for the 21st century; further notes that complaints by prisoners are now dealt with by the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) in line with best practice as set out by the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman’s Complaints Standards Authority; notes that, on monitoring, the chief executive of the SPS is accountable to the Scottish Ministers for compliance with legislation on the management and treatment of prisoners and that inspection of prisons is being delivered efficiently and effectively by HM Inspectorate of Prisons; further notes that research has identified that prisoners need a dedicated advocacy service that could provide them with independent advice and support; notes that the Scottish Government is considering how to build on the role performed presently by visiting committees by introducing a dedicated independent prisoner advocacy service to support prisoners in ways that match modern needs, and notes that the Scottish Government intends to carry out a further public consultation on these proposals in 2012 and will discuss the proposed timetable with stakeholders in developing the best way forward.”