Highlands and Islands MSP, Edward Mountain, met with the Cabinet Secretary for Justice on Wednesday 5 February 2020 as part of his campaign to ensure a new prison is built in the Highlands.
During the meeting the Cabinet Secretary reiterated that the Scottish Government’s priorities continue to be investing in the female custodial estate and building a replacement for HMP Barlinnie.
The Scottish Government’s draft budget for 2020/21 does not include a funding provision for a new prison in Inverness. It is therefore unlikely that the new prison will be operational by March 2023, as previously announced by the Scottish Government in its most recent infrastructure update.
During the meeting with Edward Mountain MSP, the Cabinet Secretary confirmed that upgrades to the CCTV system at HMP Inverness would be operational at the end of the financial year, after it was revealed that sections of the prison were without CCTV thus endangering prison staff and prisoners.
Edward Mountain MSP pressed the Cabinet Secretary to make funding a new Highland prison a priority alongside the female custodial estate and HMP Barlinnie. The MSP also pushed for the Scottish Government to invest in improving the rehabilitation services at HMP Inverness, especially as it is expected that the new prison will be delayed for an extensive period.
Following the meeting, Edward Mountain MSP commented:
“For too long now, the Scottish Government has ignored the needs of the Highlands by refusing to invest in a new prison in Inverness.
It is clear that the Scottish Prison Service are doing a lot of work in the background on plans for the new prison and I understand that this project is almost ‘shovel ready’. It just requires funding.
Therefore, it is disappointing that the Scottish Government, yet again, will not commit full funding to a new prison.
The current prison is not fit for purpose and suffers from long-term overcrowding issues, putting the safety of prison staff at risk. I am therefore pleased that the CCTV is being upgraded so that all sections of the prison will now be covered.
I am also encouraged that the Cabinet Secretary will give consideration to improving the rehabilitation facilities at HMP Inverness.
It remains the case that the Highlands needs a modern prison and I will continue to hold this SNP Government to account for its distinct lack of investment in the Highlands.”
