Purposeful activities
84.—(1) The Governor must provide a range of purposeful activities for prisoners which, so far as reasonably practicable, takes into account—
(a)the interests and need of prisoners to obtain skills and experience which will be of use to them after their release; and
(b)the requirements of the operation and maintenance of the prison.
(2) “Purposeful activities” include—
(a)work;
(b)education of any kind, including physical education;
(c)counselling and other rehabilitative programmes;
(d)vocational training; and
(e)work placements outside the prison.
(3) The Scottish Ministers may, in relation to work placements outside the prison provided under paragraph (2)(e), specify in a direction—
(a)the groups or categories of prisoners who may be allowed to undertake such placements;
(b)the circumstances in which, and the conditions subject to which, such placements may be provided to prisoners; and
(c)the conditions which will apply to any prisoner or group or category of prisoners undertaking such placements.
(4) In carrying out the duty under paragraph (1) the Governor—
(a)must arrange, so far as reasonably practicable, a programme of educational classes to provide prisoners with an opportunity to pursue their interests and needs; and
(b)may arrange the provision of counselling (including group work activity) which is appropriate to the needs of prisoners.