Alison McInnes MSP today visited Addiewell Prison as part of the Justice Committee's inquiry into purposeful activity in prisons.
The inquiry is considering issues around the opportunity prisoners have to engage in purposeful activity in the course of their imprisonment, in particular:
- What is meant by 'purposeful' activity and how can this be measured
- The extent to which prisoners have an opportunity to engage in purposeful activity
- What are the perceived benefits of purposeful activity and whether there are any examples of best practice
- What barriers may exist to prevent prisoners engaging in such activities
- Whether access to purposeful activities is consistent across the prison estate; and
- Whether access to such activity can be improved.
HMP Addiewell, in West Lothian, is designed as a 'learning' prison and is operated for the Scottish Prison Service by a private company.
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Visit to Addiewell Prison
30 January 2013
Prisoner Scott Denholm, left, speaks with committee member Alison McInnes MSP in the library at the Solas centre. Also pictured are activity co-coordinators Lynne Wallace and Louise Bell.
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Visit to Addiewell Prison
30 January 2013
A member of the prison staff shows committee member Alison McInnes MSP a cell waiting to be occupied during a Justice Committee visit to HMP Addiewell.
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Visit to Addiewell Prison
30 January 2013
Alison McInnes MSP at Addiewell Prison as part of a visit to see the purposeful-activity programmes which are on offer to offenders.
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Visit to Addiewell Prison
30 January 2013
Alison McInnes MSP visits a prisoner workshop at Addiewell Prison.