Future of Noranside prison still hangs in the balance

Uncertainty continued to hang over Noranside open prison on Wednesday night following a full board meeting of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS).

Officials were expected to spend the day considering a business plan submitted by the Prison Officers Association (POA) Scotland, aimed at securing the institution’s future.

Many campaigners voiced fears last week that inmates could be transferred to Scotland’s only remaining open prison at Castle Huntly near Dundee with almost immediate effect if the proposals were rejected outright by the SPS.

However, a spokesman has now said that no announcement about the estate would be forthcoming at the present time.

Assistant secretary of the POA’s Scotland branch Andy Hogg insisted that at this time, no news was good news.

“In many ways we would have been disappointed with a decision today because that would mean the SPS were not asking any questions regarding the case for Noranside,” he said. “If they are genuine about consultation they will take time to discuss it and we will be happy to have that dialogue.”