The Prisons and Young Offenders Institutions (Scotland) Rules 1994

Requests and complaints to the residential officer

104.—(1) A prisoner who desires to make a request or complaint concerning any matter, other than one specified in rules 102, 103, 108, 110, 111 and 112, may do so subject to and in accordance with the following provisions of this rule.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3), such a request or complaint–

(a) may be made orally or in writing; but

(b) shall be made by the prisoner to the residential officer in the first instance.

(3) If the prisoner intends to make a complaint against any officer or employee he must make the complaint in writing.

(4) If a prisoner requires assistance with the making of the written request or complaint, an officer appointed by the Governor for the purpose shall provide such assistance as is reasonably practicable in the circumstances.

(5) Subject to paragraph (6), the residential officer shall give a reply to the prisoner within 24 hours of receiving the request or complaint and shall give a written reply to any request or complaint which was made in writing.

(6) If the residential officer is unable to reply within the period specified in paragraph (5), he shall inform the prisoner within that period when he considers he will be able to reply and shall thereafter give a written reply as soon as reasonably practicable.

(7) This rule does not affect any right of a prisoner to make any request or complaint at any time to any person or body other than the Secretary of State and any officer of the prison.