Ministers make second attempt at prison visiting reform
A second attempt at draft legislation replacing prison visiting committees with a new system of prison monitors and lay monitors has been put out to consultation by the Scottish Government.
A previous consultation between October 2013 and January 2014 drew various concerns from, among others, the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman and Professor Andrew Coyle, whose report the previous draft purported to implement but who subsequently stated that this was not properly the case. In a report on the draft order, Holyrood's Justice Committee questioned how the two roles of inspection and monitoring would retain their operational independence, coming under the Chief Inspector of Prisons, and wants to ensure that prisoners knew the difference between monitors and inspectors and their respective responsibilities. (Click here for news item.)
The new consultation document invites comments on the changes made in the proposed draft Public Services Reform (Inspection and Monitoring of Prisons) (Scotland) Order 2014. The order clarifies the role of the Chief Inspector of Prisons; create the roles of Prison Monitoring Co-ordinator (formerly Prison Monitor) and Independent Prison Monitor (formerly Lay Monitor); places a duty on the Governor to assist with inspection and monitoring; and requires the Chief Inspector to establish a Prison Monitoring Advisory Group.
Less than four weeks has been allowed for the latest consultation, which runs until 13 October 2014.