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Jail numbers 'threatening order' 'No extra space' in Scots jails
(1 day later)
Overcrowding in Scottish jails is threatening good order among inmates, prison chiefs have warned. Prisoners could be released from Scottish jails in an emergency situation because of overcrowding problems, prison chiefs have warned.
The Scottish Prison Service also said it would need increased government funding if prisoner levels were expected to stay at high levels. Scottish Prison Service chief executive Mike Ewart told MSPs an incident, such as a fire, would mean having to get permission for an emergency release.
The concerns came as Holyrood's justice committee was considering the 2009-10 budget arrangements. He said there was no space to deal with a major loss of prison accommodation.
Scottish ministers have taken action to help address prison numbers, including extending home curfew. Ministers said they inherited a prison estate unfit for purpose and were investing £120m to tackle the problem.
The Scottish Prison Service pointed out, in a submission to the committee, that its jails - which have a capacity of 6,625 - were holding 8,137 prisoners on 15 September. The Scottish Prison Service said its jails - with a current capacity of 6,625 - were holding 8,056 prisoners on 29 September, adding that overcrowding was placing "unprecedented pressure" on the system.
'Rising tensions' Ministers have consistently said action is needed to tackle overcrowding and end the cycle of reoffending Kenny MacAskillScottish Justice Secretary Mr Ewart said inmates could be forced to sleep on mattresses in prison gym halls and warned that Glasgow's Barlinnie jail last week held 1,764 prisoners in a building fit for 1,018.
Bosses warned that increases had placed "unprecedented pressure" on the system, while overcrowding could cause various problems, including prisoners being denied healthcare. He said an incident, such as a prison fire, would mean having to get ministerial permission for the emergency release of prisoners.
"Throughout the estate there are threats to good order as competition between prisoners to access a range of resources causes tensions," the submission stated. "There is no spare capacity in the system to absorb the significant loss of accommodation," he said.
The prison service said ministers' 2009-10 spending plans were based on an average prison population of 7,600 - adding that more funding would be needed if numbers could not be cut. Mr Ewart added: "There isn't anywhere suitable to secure people. And there is nothing readily available for us to commandeer."
The Scottish Government has moved to address the problem by revamping the prison estate, including announcing plans for a new "super-jail" in the north east. The prisons chief, who was giving evidence to the Scottish Parliament's justice committee on the Scottish Government's 2009-10 budget, said ministers' spending plans were based on an average prison population of 7,600 - adding that more funding would be needed if numbers could not be cut.
Electronic tagging has also been extended, while ministers have embarked on a drive for more community sentences. The issue of contingency plans for a damaged prison was raised by the Conservatives earlier this year, during first minister's questions.
'Exceptional release'
Alex Salmond said at the time there were alternatives in place if part of a jail became so badly damaged that it could not be used, but did not disclose details.
Tory Justice spokesman Bill Aitken said he had begun a search for more prison capacity, by writing to Scottish health and defence bosses in a bid to find unused premises which could be turned into secure accommodation.
The Liberal Democrats' Robert Brown expressed alarm at Mr Ewart's comments, adding: "Prisoner release should never be dictated by overcrowding."
Labour justice spokesman Richard Baker said: "Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has had 18 months to plan and his inaction speaks volumes about his commitment to community safety."
The Scottish Government has announced plans for three new prisons, including a "super-jail" in the north east to replace Aberdeen and Peterhead prisons.
Electronic tagging has also been extended, while ministers have embarked on a drive to increase community sentences.
Mr MacAskill said no decision had been made to pursue a policy of "exceptional release" in Scotland, as it had been in England and Wales.
"Since inheriting a prison estate that was not fit for purpose and rising prisoner numbers - even as reported crime falls to a 25-year low - ministers have consistently said action is needed to tackle overcrowding and end the cycle of reoffending," he added.