Latest news with #HMPHighland
The Herald Scotland
09-05-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
New 'specialist prisons' plan after investigation by The Herald
The Herald highlighted the growing pressure Scotland's prisons during an in-depth week long investigation in March and April. Interviewed by the paper Justice Secretary Angela Constance conceded the country faces a 'critical risk' from overcrowding. READ MORE: Scotland facing 'critical risk' from overcrowding in prisons Riot fears amid record prisoner numbers and overcrowding Calls for elderly inmates in Scotland's prisons to be moved I spent the day inside HMP Low Moss and here's what I found Our investigation revealed that despite reforms to allow the early release of short term prisoners, eight prisons were operating this Spring at the maximum security level - red risk with around 8300 prisoners - with the system designed to hold around 7900. It also found that Scottish Prison Service (SPS) projections suggest the population could grow further to 8,400 by the end of June and could hit record levels of between 8,500 to 8,600 by end of September. To date, the highest ever number recorded was 8420 on March 5, 2012, while the second highest was recorded figure on February 17 this year when it reached 8375. Our team of reporters found concern that overcrowding puts limits on rehabilitation work with offenders while governors expressed fears that rioting - which broke out in Scotland's jails in the 1980s and 1990s - could return to the system. Despite efforts since the SNP came to power in 2007 to reduce the number of people in prison Scotland has one of the highest rates of incarceration in western Europe. Mr Swinney's Programme for Government for the year ahead stated that ministers "taken a range of actions over the last two years to address a rising prison population" and added: "We will now go further to secure a more sustainable population long-term." The document stated that the plans included "changing the eligibility criteria for home detention curfew (HDC) and deploying GPS technology for use with HDC"; working with "justice partners to strengthen alternatives to remand through continued investment for bail services". The document went on to say the government was "scoping the feasibility of new specialist models of imprisonment for groups such as older and younger people." It added that it was providing £347 million in 2025-26 to invest in the prison estate to progress the work on HMP Glasgow and HMP Highland which would increase design capacity in the estate by 464 places. The document also stated that the government was working with the Scottish Prison Service on improving employability of prisoners therefore reducing reoffending, by piloting "Employment Advisory Boards" to connect prisoners to support services before their release. Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Liam McArthur welcomed the plans being put forward but warned they were not enough to deal with the current challenge. 'Liberal Democrats have long called for the Scottish Government to get a handle on overcrowding and strengthen alternatives to remand, so I am pleased that they are finally exploring this," he said. 'These measures, however, are long overdue, especially when the SNP knew about overcrowding for years and never did enough to tackle it. The terrible conditions inside prisons are the direct result of that mismanagement. 'These plans contain a lot of 'scoping' and 'piloting'. This may be necessary but is not sufficient, and is unlikely to have any notable impact over the coming 12 months. 'I am also concerned that they do not address some of the more fundamental problems underpinning prison overcrowding, including delays to trials and hearings which leave more people remanded in custody for longer periods of time. "That's why I want ministers to do everything possible to support staff across the justice sector and bring down court backlogs." A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'Scotland is not alone in facing challenges as a result of a rise in the prison population. There is no single reason for the increase and there is no single solution to the issue. 'That is why we are working with the Scottish Prison Service on a number of actions to manage the complex prison population in a safe and sustainable way.'
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Community considers takeover of 123-year-old jail
A community group is considering a possible takeover of one of Scotland's oldest prisons. HMP Inverness was opened more than 120 years ago in the Crown area of Inverness city centre. It is to be replaced by HMP Highland, which is being built at a cost of £209m on a site near Inverness Campus on the east side of the city. Crown Connects is exploring a potential community asset transfer, a Scottish government-backed process that allows community groups to request ownership or lease of property or land. More stories from the Highlands and Islands News from the Highlands and Islands on BBC Sounds Rebecca Robertson, of Crown Connects, said green spaces and a community hub could be created at the prison. The Crown area has a population of about 4,300 people. Ms Robertson told BBC Naidheachdan: "This is one of the few places in Inverness that doesn't have a community centre. "This is an opportunity for us to address that and have a space where the community can come to relax, meet each other and play sports." The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) said HMP Highland, due to be completed in 2026, would allow it to better serve local communities. The jail will have capacity for 200 prisoners. A SPS spokesperson said: "Once it is operational, the disposal of HMP Inverness will be managed in line with the principles set out in the Scottish Public Finance Manual guidance and Community Empowerment Act." HMP Inverness was opened in 1902. It was designed to have capacity for 103 prisoners, but SPS said the average population was 117. Over the years, concerns have been raised about overcrowding. The prison is surrounded by high red sandstone boundary wall and parts of the site have a designation recognising their historical and architectural importance. The chapel, A hall - including its former laundry and kitchen, B hall and parts of the boundary wall were listed at category B by Historic Environment Scotland in 2017. Weaving a new future for historic Fort George? Charity closer to buying government bull stud land Crown Connects SPS
BBC News
07-03-2025
- General
- BBC News
Inverness community considers takeover of 123-year-old prison
A community group is considering a possible takeover of one of Scotland's oldest Inverness was opened more than 120 years ago in the Crown area of Inverness city is to be replaced by HMP Highland, which is being built at a cost of £209m on a site near Inverness Campus on the east side of the Connects is exploring a potential community asset transfer, a Scottish government-backed process that allows community groups to request ownership or lease of property or land. Rebecca Robertson, of Crown Connects, said green spaces and a community hub could be created at the Crown area has a population of about 4,300 Robertson told BBC Naidheachdan: "This is one of the few places in Inverness that doesn't have a community centre."This is an opportunity for us to address that and have a space where the community can come to relax, meet each other and play sports."The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) said HMP Highland, due to be completed in 2026, would allow it to better serve local jail will have capacity for 200 prisoners.A SPS spokesperson said: "Once it is operational, the disposal of HMP Inverness will be managed in line with the principles set out in the Scottish Public Finance Manual guidance and Community Empowerment Act." HMP Inverness was opened in was designed to have capacity for 103 prisoners, but SPS said the average population was 117. Over the years, concerns have been raised about prison is surrounded by high red sandstone boundary wall and parts of the site have a designation recognising their historical and architectural chapel, A hall - including its former laundry and kitchen, B hall and parts of the boundary wall were listed at category B by Historic Environment Scotland in 2017.
