Central administration

7GF1SPT visits

1

The Scottish Ministers must make arrangements to ensure that members of the SPT may—

a

visit prisoners,

b

access information relevant to the treatment of prisoners and the conditions in which they are detained,

c

monitor the conditions in prisons and the treatment of prisoners, and

d

monitor the arrangements operated by prisons for the temporary release of prisoners in accordance with rules made under section 39.

2

The arrangements may, in particular, authorise members of the SPT to—

a

access, without prior notice, any prison (accompanied by such experts as the members think fit),

b

examine prison records relating to the detention of prisoners,

c

meet any prisoners in private to discuss their treatment while detained and the conditions in which they are detained,

d

inspect the conditions in which prisoners are detained (including cell accommodation, washing and toilet facilities and facilities for the provision of food), and

e

meet such other persons as the members think may have information relevant to the treatment of prisoners and the conditions in which they are detained.

3

The Scottish Ministers must keep the arrangements under review and revise them as they think fit.