Politicians are demanding assurances that Perth Prison will remain open after a prominent Government inspector suggested it could be axed.
Concerns were raised for the future of the historic penal facility following a suggestion from David Strang, the outgoing HM chief inspector of prisons for Scotland, that four ageing jails – Perth, Barlinnie, Inverness and Greenock – should be closed and replaced in a bid to cut crime.
Mr Strang has published a report entitled ‘What next for prisons in Scotland?’ in which he details his “reflections on five years” in post. The chief inspector of Scottish prisons states that the country has one of the highest rates of imprisonment in Europe and outlines ways in which he feels this could be lowered.
In his report, he states: “As HM chief inspector or prisons for Scotland, I have seen too many people in prison for short sentences who I believe should not be in jail and whose incarceration is more likely to result in further victims of crime.
“The majority of prisons in Scotland have been built in the last 20 years, with modern facilities and residential accommodation of a suitable standard for the 21st century. There remain four prisons (Perth, Barlinnie, Inverness and Greenock) which are over 100 years old and are in need of replacement.”
His report continues: “Scotland has much to be proud of in how its prisons are run. Work needs to continue to reduce the reliance on short-term prison sentences particularly, which will lead to fewer people in prison.
“Greater use of community disposals by the courts and, before that, more diversion from prosecution is needed. There is scope for increasing the use of electronic monitoring, or tagging, to manage people in the community rather than in prison.”
However, Perth and North Perthshire MP Pete Wishart said he will be writing to the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to seek “reassurances” about the future of Perth Prison.
“Having read Chief Inspector Strang’s report, I see that he has identified the need for Perth Prison to be replaced,” he said.
“Whilst I agree with him that the building needs updated or replaced, I will be writing to the Scottish Prison Service to seek reassurances about the future of the prison in Perth. HMP Perth is a big employer and given past reassurances that the site would remain a feature of the prison estate, I will be seeking the same given the findings of this report.
“I agree with the outgoing chief inspector when he says that prison should be reserved for people who have committed serious crimes or who pose a risk to others. The evidence suggests that imprisoning people for short periods of time is more likely to see them re-offend and end up back in the prison system.”
And Perthshire North MSP John Swinney added: “Reducing the number of people going to prison is an important objective but it can only be achieved by reducing crime even further than the current 43-year low, reducing the seriousness of offences committed and having appropriate alternatives in place.
“These are all long-term objectives and I am sure the Scottish Government will consider these issues as it looks into the chief inspector’s report. As a consequence, there can be no doubt about the necessity of Perth Prison in the future.”
Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, said he feels prison must serve as both “a deterrent and an opportunity for rehabilitation” and Perth Prison has a good reputation in this regard.
“HMP Perth is an important local employer and I fail to see the logic in reducing capacity across Scotland,” he added.
