Scottish Prison Service to discuss Noranside at end of January

The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) will consider the views of relevant trade unions over the future of Noranside at its board meeting on January 25.

The consultation period is drawing to a close and the SPS said it will discuss the issue at that meeting.

The SPS announced plans last month to close the open prison, north of Forfar.

There has been anger that the consultation process will only involve dialogue with trade unions and none of the community groups with an interest in the prison.

Sources have told The Courier it could be closed as early as March and union officials have admitted its future has been hanging in the balance since Robert Foye absconded from Castle Huntly open prison in 2007 and raped a teenager.