This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Plans to build new prisons
29/01/2004
The Executive's plans to build two new 700-place prisons
in Scotland were again confirmed to Parliament today.
One of the prisons will be privately built and operated.
For the second, management and unions within the Scottish
Prison Service, working in partnership, have been given the
opportunity to 'bridge the gap' with the private sector on
costs and delivery.
Deputy Justice Minister Hugh Henry said that, with
prisons populations at record levels, and some of the
prison estate unfit for purpose in the 21st century, the
new prisons were what Scotland needed now, not old
arguments about how they are paid for.
Speaking ahead of a member's business debate Mr Henry
said:
"Let's look at the facts. At present projections,
Scotland's prison population could rise substantially over
the next few years. Prison numbers are already at record
levels. And we need to give prison staff the kind of
facilities they need to challenge the offending behaviour
and reduce Scotland's reoffending problem. That means new
prisons fit for purpose - not a return to old arguments
about how we pay for them.
"The new prisons will be designed to the highest
standard of specification. Any potential private sector
operator has to satisfy the SPS that it has the ability to
meet the requirements of the specification before it would
have any chance of being awarded the contract.
"Similarly, the public sector team will need to show
that they can be the best in terms of timing, cost, quality
and delivery. The decision about private or public
operation will be fair and based on a level playing field.
This is a fair chance for the public sector.
"All prisoners in Scotland remain the responsibility of
the Scottish Prison Service whether they are located in
public or private sector prisons.
"I firmly believe that the actions we are taking will
help us to create a prison service providing decent living
conditions for prisoners and decent working conditions for
staff. Facilities that will provide the maximum opportunity
to challenge offending behaviour and ensure that the prison
service plays its full part in helping us to create a safer
Scotland."
Jim Wallace, the then Justice Minister, first outlined
the Executive's position on new prisons for Scotland on
September 5, 2002, following the Prison Service's Estates
Review.
The SPS has lodged two planning applications for the
prisons announced in September 2002.One for a new prison
near Addiewell the other for the development of a new
prison on the site of the existing prison at Low Moss.