Chamber and committees

A final question has come to mind. It is probably for Teresa Medhurst and Allister Purdie. Is there scope, within prison settings, for different levels of restriction to be imposed in different parts of the prison? Forgive me if this has already been covered and I missed it. Instead of blanket imposition of restrictions, is there, depending on circumstances at any point in time, scope for different levels to be applied, or would that be overly complicated?

Shall we go to Kate Wallace?

I will butt in quickly to say that I am watching the time. We have just under 10 minutes left, so I would appreciate succinct questions and answers, as usual.

You do not have to stop; we can still hear you.

On the issue of time limits and delays that you have highlighted, I am watching the time myself, but I know that some members would like to ask some questions about that. I call Katy Clark, to be followed by Jamie Greene. I just want to keep our discussion moving.

Thank you for that interesting update. Mr Purdie, do you want to comment?

I will ask a follow-up question before I bring in other members. Teresa Medhurst mentioned the positive impact of there being less movement of prisoners in and out, and the resource implications of that, which have clearly proven to be beneficial. Has that been seen broadly across the prison estate? What more needs to be done to benefit from the opportunity and to make things work as effectively as they can?

Thanks very much, Kate. Would you like to pick up on that question, Dr Scott?

For the final part of this evidence session, we will move on to the Scottish statutory instrument that will come forward this Friday. We understand that the Scottish Prison Service intends to seek a further six-month extension to powers for governors to respond to the coronavirus pandemic in prisons and young offenders institutions. We have not been covering that in our consideration of the Coronavirus (Recovery and Reform) (Scotland) Bill, which has been the main subject of today’s evidence session. However, the committee would like to take the opportunity to ask about the proposed extension of the powers.

It is helpful that we have had sight of copies of correspondence from HM Inspectorate of Prisons, the Howard League and the Scottish Prison Service in relation to the forthcoming SSI. Let us spend 20 minutes or so asking questions about the SSI.

I will start with a general question for you, Ms Medhurst. I invite you to outline why you feel the extension of the powers is necessary. Does the extension reflect the latest public health advice that we are being given? I will initially direct that to you, Ms Medhurst.

Thank you very much—that is helpful. Do you want to come back in, Collette?