Decision report 201203108

Summary

Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained that the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) legal laptop policy inappropriately restricted his access to a laptop computer. The policy sets out the circumstances and conditions under which access to a laptop may be granted to prisoners. In particular, Mr C was unhappy because the policy restricted the use of the laptop to those prisoners preparing their defence against charges.

In responding to Mr C's complaint, the governor had confirmed that the laptop was reserved for those prisoners preparing their defence or preparing their appeal against conviction or sentence. Our investigation found that this position was clearly in line with SPS policy. We were satisfied that the SPS are entitled to decide under what circumstances and conditions prisoners may be granted access to the laptop, and we did not uphold his complaint.