Correspondence regarding HMP Glasgow construction: FOI release

Information requested

1.All briefing notes, correspondence, including internal and minutes held by the Scottish Government in regards to the delays in the building of HMP Glasgow, between civil servants, scottish government officials and MSPs/MSP offices between September 1 2023 and December 31 2023.

Response

I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested.

Some of the information you have requested is available from HM Chief Inspectors of Prisons Scotland - Annual Report - 2022-2023.pdf (prisonsinspectoratescotland.gov.uk). You can find the information on page 28 and page 6, paragraph 4.

Some of the information you have requested is available from Investing in Scotland’s infrastructure: A briefing paper. You can find the information on page 19.

Some of the information you have requested is available from Clarity urged over timescale for Glasgow Barlinnie prison replacement | STV News

Some of the information you have requested is available from Infrastructure Investment Plan 2015 (www.gov.scot). You can find the information on page 149.

Some of the information you have requested is available from Infrastructure Investment Plan 2015: Progress Report for 2018-19 (www.gov.scot). You can find the information on page 19.

Some of the information you have requested is available from A National Mission With Local Impact: Draft Infrastructure Investment Plan for Scotland 2021‑22 to 2025‑26 (www.gov.scot). You can find the information on page 42.

Some of the information you have requested is available from IIP Project Pipeline Update - 2022 September.

Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from the websites listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy.

An exemption under section 30(b)(i) of FOISA (free and frank provision of advice) applies to some of the information you have requested. This exemption applies because disclosure would, or would be likely to, inhibit substantially the free and frank provision of advice. The exemption recognises the need for officials and ministers to have free and frank discussion when advising on and discussing options and solutions for any issues or concerns raised.

This exemption is subject to the ‘public interest test’. Therefore, taking account of all of the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. We recognise that there is a public interest in disclosing information as part of open, transparent and accountable government. However, there is a greater public interest in allowing a private space within which officials and Ministers provide free and frank advice and discussion on options and to enable finding solutions to any issues/concerns raised.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

FOI 202400394076 - Information Released - Annex A

File type

14 page PDF

File size

152.7 kB