Mr MacAskill also said that in the newly opened Low Moss prison offenders were expected to be "working or engaged in other useful activities" for 35 hours per week.

BBC: Lib Dems: Prisons debate

Labour MSP Graeme Pearson, a former director general of the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency, asked Mr McConnell if a 01:00 television curfew in operation at Low Moss Prison in Bishopbriggs should be extended to all prisoners.

BBC: A television in a cell at Barlinnie Prison, Glasgow