By Bryan Kay

PRISON BOSSES were under pressure last night to review their policy governing which inmates can be transferred to Castle Huntly open prison near Dundee.

Police are on the trail of at least five prisoners who, despite being assessed as suitable for the open estate, fled the jail before the end of their sentence.

MP Pete Wishart, in whose constituency the Carse of Gowrie prison is situated, said the latest spate of absconding places a question mark over the way management decide on prisoners’ suitability for open conditions.

Police revealed on Friday that extensive inquiries had failed to trace convicted murderer George McKay (55), who failed to return to the jail last month.

It was the fourth time in just eight days that detectives had appealed for information about absconders from Castle Huntly.

Mr Wishart said the problems at the jail are indicative of increasing prison populations.

However he refused to accept Castle Huntly was being used as a dumping ground for the under pressure prison service.

He said the SNP government’s review of the judicial system would address the issue of overburdened jails, and pay particular attention to the type of people and offences handed a custodial sentence.

“I believe there will have to be some sort of review of the placement policy in open prisons,” said Mr Wishart.

“But I have to stress this is not the fault of Castle Huntly itself.

“The people there have to deal with the regulations over transfers as they stand.

“I also don’t get a sense it is a problem particular to Castle Huntly, but it is a legitimate question to ask how these prisoners came to be there.

“We must look to see if there is a pattern and address it accordingly.

“It could be that more stringent assessment may be needed.

“There is an issue with increasing prison population and that feeds right through the system.”

McKay, who comes from the Glasgow area, was originally convicted at Glasgow High Court in 1975 and was sentenced to life imprisonment.

He was transferred to Castle Huntly in February and on May 3 was granted a temporary release licence allowing him home leave.

McKay was due to return to the jail on May 10 but he failed to do so, prompting the intervention of the police.

In addition to McKay, police are still seeking to trace four other Castle Huntly absconders, including Robert Burgess and Derek Lamb.

Earlier this month, meanwhile, two inmates appeared in court after absconding from Castle Huntly while attending appointments at Ninewells Hospital.

Open prisons are supposed to prepare inmates for eventual freedom but last year 49 prisoners disappeared from the jail and four had been missing for more than 12 months.

A senior Scottish Prison Service official said earlier this year that all open estate inmates undergo rigorous assessment and pose no risk to the public.