This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Northern Ireland prisoners transfer
03/03/2004
The Justice Minister has rejected claims about the
Executive 'railroading' a proposal to transfer prisoners
fromNorthern IrelandtoScotland's jails.
Cathy Jamieson said:
"I completely reject the suggestion that Scottish
Ministers would try to railroad plans through our
Parliament on any issue - never mind one of a sensitive
nature.
"There has been no attempt to conceal this. That
is why we wrote to the Justice 1 Committee last month
asking them to consider our proposal for a Sewel
motion.
"What today's press statement does not mention is
that this letter was also accompanied by a draft Memorandum
of Understanding which sets out clearly that
safeguards would be in place.
"Careful safeguards to ensure that any transfers
would only take place with the
consent of Scottish Ministers. In addition, the
stability of prisons inScotlandand the safety of staff and prisoners would be taken
into account on any decision on a transfer. I made
clear in that letter that such a Sewel motion would not be
considered by the Parliament until after the Committee had
an opportunity to consider the Memorandum.
"The real facts of this are that the Scottish
Executive has been asked to play its part, along with other
parts of theUK, in providing the framework by which mainland prison
services could take a share of prisoners fromNorthern Irelandin order to further the peace process.
"Any such moves would be a reserve power and only be
used as a last resort. If used at all, it might at most
involve a handful of individuals. Remember, there are over
6,500 prisoners in custody here inScotland.
"Scottish Ministers have considered this matter
carefully, and concluded that the right thing to do was
forScotlandto consider playing its part - alongside our partners
in the rest of theUK. We have clearly also consulted the Scottish
Prison Service who are clear that any future transfers can
be handled effectively.
"It would be of great concern to me if anyone is
seriously suggesting thatScotland, as a country or as a provider of public services,
is incapable of playing such an outward-looking role within
theUK."