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I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:The following steps have been taken to reduce the closure of workshops and other prisoner programmes:As part of the new SPS Staff Attendance System (SAS) brought in on 3 September 2001, a marked increase of staff is now allocated for escort duty.Also, as part of SAS, a new system was devised to draw staff from the Halls in the first instance rather than work parties.National recruitment is now underway and Polmont was given six staff in the first intake of recruits. They will be fully operational by the end of this month. Further recruits will be allocated to Polmont next year as necessary.

A ministerial group, which I chair, has been set up to tackle the specific issue of women's offending. It is looking at a range of measures to encourage the appropriate use of alternatives to custody for female offenders. The group is due to complete its work in December and will report shortly thereafter.

A broad range of community disposals are available across Scotland for both female and male offenders. These include probation, community service orders and supervised attendance orders for female and male fine defaulters who might otherwise be facing a custodial sentence. Drug Treatment and Testing Orders and Restriction of Liberty Orders are also currently available in a number of courts. We have provided funding for diversion from prosecution schemes to allow all procurators fiscal access to local schemes and made female accused one of the four target groups. We are now moving forward with plans for the national roll-out of Restriction of Liberty Orders by May next year, and I have announced the extension of Drug Treatment and Testing Orders to a further seven sheriff courts. We are also considering funding structured work for deferred sentences and further developments in the use of supervised attendance orders.The Ministerial Group on Women Offenders, which I chair, is looking at a range of measures to encourage the use of alternatives to custody specifically for women offenders.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17989 on 14 September 2001, which sets out full details of the virement proposals, and I would particularly highlight the fourth paragraph which clarifies the position with the Inclusion Programme.

The total budget provided by the Executive for alternatives to custody amounts to £50.1 million in the present year. This funds a broad range of community disposals for both female and male offenders. With the exception of the programmes listed below, it is not possible to identify specific funding packages in respect of female accused/offenders:Turnaround Project in Glasgow (£141,321) for female drug misusing accused/offenders;Glasgow Intensive Support Services for Vulnerable Young Women (£30,000) - this funding is in respect of 16 to 17-year-olds and represents a funding contribution to a project which also deals with under 16s;South Ayrshire Intensive Probation Project for Women Offenders (£19,003).

I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:Skye House is due to open as a dedicated Young Offender Unit in November 2001.The facility will feature:A designated manager with specific responsibilities for young women offenders.A staff group specially selected and trained to work with young women offenders.An induction and assessment process aimed specifically at young women offenders.A regime aligned to meet identified needs.Increased access to educational opportunities.Support to assist in addressing offending behaviour, addictions, family problems and other matters.

I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:A recent refurbishment of the library included repainting, the installation of new comfortable seating and carousel book display racks. Prisoners now have access to:2,000 books50 talking books100 video cassettes100 musical audio tapes50 CD romsfive copies of Prison Rules & Directionstwo copies of Prison Rules (on floppy disc)All items are regularly changed and updated. Books not held, including any requested legal books/foreign language books are sourced through a partnership with Stirling District Council Library Services. Other recent additions are:

• Citizen Advice Bureau information volumes 1 to 3 which are updated every month through the establishment's membership with the CAB.
• A "scanlab" computerised system for book management comparable to any modern local authority library.
• two PCs for prisoner access.
• A TV/video combination of previewing videos.
• A hi-fi system for pre-listening audio tapes.

The number of borrowers presently stands at 249.

I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:The per capita food budget provides prisoners at Cornton Vale with three meals a day. Four choices are available at lunch and tea times including a "Scottish Slimmers" and "healthy options" choice. Fresh fruit and vegetables are available daily. All religious and dietary needs can also be catered for.The Cornton Vale catering team were this year awarded Charter Mark for the quality of their service.

I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:Like all contracts, costs of termination depends on many factors, including the reasons for such a decision and the point of time in the contract. Such costs would require detailed calculation by independent advisers, both financial and legal.

I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:The SPS does not normally receive reports on prisons from other jurisdictions and has not received the report referred to.