By Steve Bargeton, political editor

A PLAN TO jail dangerous prisoners in former NHS properties in Broughty Ferry and Pitlochry was blasted as “ridiculous” last night.

At the Scottish Tory conference in October, party leader Annabel Goldie announced that justice spokesman Bill Aitken was writing to every health board in Scotland and to the secretary of state for defence to ask if they have any unused premises that could be potentially turned into secure accommodation.

The Courier has learned 11 of Scotland’s 14 NHS boards have responded saying there was no suitable space available.

NHS Tayside identified Irvine Memorial Hospital in Pitlochry and the Armitstead Child Development Centre in Broughty Ferry, near Dundee.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde identified Merchiston Hospital and NHS Ayrshire and Arran identified Holmhead Hospital.

However, the three NHS boards with disused properties all stated it would be a “significant challenge and impractical to use their facilities as a holding facility for prisoners.”

The information was contained in a letter from justice secretary Kenny MacAskill to SNP MSP Angela Constance.

Last night Ms Constance said the Tories’ plan to convert disused NHS facilities into prisons was “in tatters.”

“There are no suitable buildings and there is no Conservative policy on prisons,” she said.

“The only buildings the Conservatives could find are in the middle of Broughty Ferry and Pitlochry or a hospital in Cumnock currently housing a day care centre.

“It is no surprise we have heard nothing more of Ms Goldie’s flagship policy.

Dundee East SNP MP Stewart Hosie described the Tory proposals as “ridiculous.”

“This ridiculous suggestion exposes the Conservatives continued failure as a party in Scotland,” he said.

“There will be outrage that the Conservatives think a children’s centre in the middle of a residential district is suitable for a prison.

“The SNP is taking a responsible approach to Scotland’s justice system with the first of three new prisons opening last month and real reform of the criminal justice system under way.”

But last night Mr Aitken stood by the Tory plan.

“I do not deny that there are challenges,” he said.

“But the most significant challenge that Scottish communities have to face is the growing activities of criminals who should be locked up and who have been by the courts but who the Scottish Government let out early.

“They do need to look at my suggestions which are made constructively.”