Questions and answers

Question reference: S5W-28205

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 April 2020
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 29 April 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the (a) minimum and (b) maximum number of prisoners that are eligible for release under the provisions in the Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill.

The Scottish Parliament agreed that emergency prison release powers in the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020 Act were necessary, and would reflect the powers of emergency release already available in England and Wales – and which the UK government have decided to apply. Since the passing of the Act, the SG has worked closely with the SPS to evaluate whether and how whether these powers should be used. As I advised the Parliament on 20 April, we have now agreed with the Chief Executive of the SPS that it will be necessary to release a limited number of prisoners to ensure the SPS can continue to manage the current situation effectively.

Prisoners will only be considered if they are sentenced to 18 months or less – and within 3 months of their scheduled release date. The new legislation rules out early release for certain groups of prisoners – including life sentence prisoners, those on supervision orders and those convicted of sexual offending or terrorism offences. The proposed regulations will further exclude prisoners sentenced for domestic abuse offences or aggravations, harassment offences, or certain Covid-related offences. The Act also enables Prison Governors to veto the release of any prisoner where such release would present a clear risk to a specific individual.

Under these measures, around 450 prisoners will be assessed for possible early release. The number who are eligible will depend on the actual prison population on the day the process begins, and the final number released will depend how many individuals will be subject the Governor veto. The scale of release was specifically agreed with the SPS Chief Executive, as a measured and proportionate action to provide sufficient capacity and flexibility to maintain safe and effective operating conditions.

Question reference: S5O-04320

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 March 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 25 March 2020

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Baird Family Hospital and Anchor Unit project at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

NHS Grampian are working with Health Facilities Scotland on a final design assurance review before moving towards financial close. The design review will provide assurance that the management and design of the project has taken cognisance of patient safety and construction standards; act as a pathfinder project for projects currently at design stage and influence the reviews of the next phase of new build and major refurbishment projects. The projected start date for construction is May, but NHS Grampian are meeting with contractors later this week to discuss what the impact of the current situation regarding COVID-19 may have and what mitigation action could be taken if required.

Question reference: S5W-27569

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 21 February 2020
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 6 March 2020

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the criminal proceedings statistical bulletin for 2018-19 is not due to be published until April 2020.

Question reference: S5O-04258

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 March 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 12 March 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for more investment in safety improvements for the A90, and whether these will include additional funding to improve the effectiveness of the average speed cameras.

Question reference: S5O-04209

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 February 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 4 March 2020

To ask the Scottish Government how it helps older people maintain their independence.

Question reference: S5O-04135

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 February 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 19 February 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Police Scotland regarding surveillance of drug supply routes.

Question reference: S5F-03904

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 27 January 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 30 January 2020

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to reports that Scottish Prison Service officers average three weeks’ sickness leave per year.

Question reference: S5O-04071

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 January 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 30 January 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to protect vulnerable older people.

Question reference: S5T-01957

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 20 January 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 21 January 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Chief Constable’s recent remarks to the Scottish Police Authority regarding the Police Scotland budget.

Question reference: S5W-26837

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 06 January 2020
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 20 January 2020

To ask the Scottish Government how many prisoners identified as falling within the Scottish Prison Service Gender Identity and Gender Reassignment Policy have never requested accommodation according to self-declared identity in a (a) men’s or (b) women’s prison.

I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:

SPS is currently unable to provide information on transgender people who are no longer in our care.

However, I can advise that on Wednesday 8 January 2020 there were 14 people in Scottish prisons who were identified on the Prisoner Records System as having engaged, at some stage, in the gender reassignment process. This number includes 3 people who had previously began the gender reassignment process but who now identify with the gender they were assigned at birth.

Of those currently in SPS care, 3 transwomen have never requested to be accommodated according to their identified gender.

Decisions on the most appropriate location to accommodate transgender people in our care are made on an individualised basis after careful consideration of all relevant factors, including risk.

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