- Asked by: Gil Paterson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 January 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Margaret Curran on 12 February 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18520 by Ms Margaret Curran on 9 October 2001, when it will publish its evaluation of the Zero Tolerance Charitable Trust's "Respect" educational project.
Answer
The final draft of the evaluation report has been passed to the project's steering group for their consideration and it will be published as soon as possible thereafter.
- Asked by: Gil Paterson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 January 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Wallace on 12 February 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive how many sex offenders have been released from prison without a risk assessment or appropriate consultation with the local police force having been undertaken prior to their release in the last year.
Answer
I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:The Scottish Prison Service is not aware of any sex offenders having been released from prison in the last year without a risk assessment or appropriate consultation with the local police force having been undertaken prior to their release.
- Asked by: Gil Paterson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 January 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Wallace on 12 February 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has received concerning any sex offenders released from prison without a risk assessment or appropriate consultation with local police forces having been undertaken; when it first received any such information, and what action it has taken in respect of this matter.
Answer
I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:The Scottish Prison Service has not received any information that any sex offender has been released from prison without a risk assessment or appropriate consultation with local police forces.
- Asked by: Gil Paterson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 January 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Wallace on 12 February 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are to hold an inquiry into whether any sex offenders have been released from prison without a risk assessment or appropriate consultation with local police forces having been undertaken.
Answer
I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:I am unaware of any such cases.
- Asked by: Gil Paterson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 January 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Wallace on 12 February 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken in order to track any sex offenders released from prison without a risk assessment or appropriate consultation with local police forces having been undertaken.
Answer
I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:Contrary to press reports I am unaware of any cases of sex offenders having been released from Scottish prisons without appropriate arrangements having been made.
- Asked by: Gil Paterson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 January 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Wallace on 12 February 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19852 by Iain Gray on 23 November 2001, how many individuals convicted of domestic abuse-related offences took part in treatment programmes offered by the prison service in the last year for which figures are available.
Answer
I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:This information is not recorded by the Prison Service.
- Asked by: Gil Paterson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 18 January 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Richard Simpson on 1 February 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to highlight drug-assisted assaults and the measures that can be taken to prevent them.
Answer
The Executive awaits the outcome of a strategic assessment on the wider issue of drug-related sexual assault, which is being carried out by a working group led by the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency.In addition, the Home Office is currently considering whether Gamma Hydroxy Butyrate, linked to alleged "date rape" cases, should be brought within the controls of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, which would bring about criminal penalties for possession and supply.
- Asked by: Gil Paterson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 18 January 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Wallace on 1 February 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are to relax the rules on the coaching of witnesses prior to court proceedings.
Answer
There are no rules preventing witnesses from being prepared for court by explaining to them what will happen and providing visits to court for young or vulnerable witnesses. Preparation of this type is often done. To coach witnesses in the sense of telling them what to say would undermine their credibility and reliability and might well amount to a criminal offence. The Executive has no intention of changing the law in this respect.
- Asked by: Gil Paterson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 18 January 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Wallace on 1 February 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive how many drug-assisted sexual assaults took place in the most recent year for which figures are available, broken down by the gender of the assaulted persons.
Answer
The information requested is not collected centrally.
- Asked by: Gil Paterson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 18 January 2002
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Wallace on 1 February 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive what research has been carried out into the needs of older women in relation to domestic abuse and other forms of violence.
Answer
No specific research has been carried out into the needs of older women in relation to domestic abuse and other forms of violence. Results from the Scottish Crime Survey 2000 suggest, however, that older women are less likely to be victims of violence. The National Strategy to Address Domestic Abuse in Scotland contains a recommendation about the provision of refuge, and other services, to meet the needs of women who may not currently have access to such services, including older women and it recognises that older women may have special need in accessing provision.
