This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/7337106.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Prison system 'failing' Scotland | Prison system 'failing' Scotland |
(1 day later) | |
Scotland's prison system is failing the public, prisoners and staff, according to the chief inspector of prisons. | Scotland's prison system is failing the public, prisoners and staff, according to the chief inspector of prisons. |
Dr Andrew McLellan told BBC Scotland that overcrowding, with inmates at an all-time high, was making Scotland a more dangerous place. | Dr Andrew McLellan told BBC Scotland that overcrowding, with inmates at an all-time high, was making Scotland a more dangerous place. |
Scotland's biggest prison, Barlinnie, is running at 50% over capacity, but Dr McLellan insisted building more jails was not an option. | Scotland's biggest prison, Barlinnie, is running at 50% over capacity, but Dr McLellan insisted building more jails was not an option. |
The justice secretary said fewer minor offenders should be locked away. | The justice secretary said fewer minor offenders should be locked away. |
The majority of Barlinnie's 1,500 inmates share cells - a situation which is mirrored around the country. | The majority of Barlinnie's 1,500 inmates share cells - a situation which is mirrored around the country. |
Overcrowded jails mean Scotland is less safe, for the sake of us all we need to make sure overcrowding is defeated Dr Andrew McLellanChief inspector of prisons | Overcrowded jails mean Scotland is less safe, for the sake of us all we need to make sure overcrowding is defeated Dr Andrew McLellanChief inspector of prisons |
With the country's prisons designed to hold 6,000 inmates, about 8,000 are currently locked up. | With the country's prisons designed to hold 6,000 inmates, about 8,000 are currently locked up. |
Dr McLellan said jails were "bursting at the seams". | Dr McLellan said jails were "bursting at the seams". |
He added: "[In one night] the prison population of Scotland rose by 1%. | He added: "[In one night] the prison population of Scotland rose by 1%. |
"If you were to have that same rate of growth regularly, you would fill a new prison in a fortnight - you would need to build 26 prisons in a year." | "If you were to have that same rate of growth regularly, you would fill a new prison in a fortnight - you would need to build 26 prisons in a year." |
A rise in the number of short-term offenders has been partly blamed for overcrowding. | A rise in the number of short-term offenders has been partly blamed for overcrowding. |
New jails | New jails |
Dr McLellan said those jailed for six months or less did not receive any rehabilitation and more were likely to re-offend. | Dr McLellan said those jailed for six months or less did not receive any rehabilitation and more were likely to re-offend. |
He added: "Overcrowded jails mean Scotland is less safe, for the sake of us all we need to make sure overcrowding is defeated." | He added: "Overcrowded jails mean Scotland is less safe, for the sake of us all we need to make sure overcrowding is defeated." |
He wants measures other than short custodial sentences for offenders to be considered. | He wants measures other than short custodial sentences for offenders to be considered. |
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has already sanctioned three new jails for Scotland, but he said he agreed with Dr McLellan's view. | Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has already sanctioned three new jails for Scotland, but he said he agreed with Dr McLellan's view. |
We cannot properly work on those dangerous people if we have a prison system that is full to the gunnels Kenny MacAskillJustice Secretary | We cannot properly work on those dangerous people if we have a prison system that is full to the gunnels Kenny MacAskillJustice Secretary |
He said: "We have far too many people who are not a danger to the community, who are petty offenders and who we need to punish in the community - not lock up and make the job of the prison service more difficult." | He said: "We have far too many people who are not a danger to the community, who are petty offenders and who we need to punish in the community - not lock up and make the job of the prison service more difficult." |
Mr MacAskill said he wanted to see only the most dangerous prisoners locked away but he conceded that changes in attitudes would be needed first. | Mr MacAskill said he wanted to see only the most dangerous prisoners locked away but he conceded that changes in attitudes would be needed first. |
He told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme: "Clearly there are dangerous people in Scotland, we have to lock them up and we have to do so for the safety of our communities. | He told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme: "Clearly there are dangerous people in Scotland, we have to lock them up and we have to do so for the safety of our communities. |
"However, we cannot properly work on those dangerous people if we have a prison system that is full to the gunnels - which is what Dr McLellan was commenting on - of people who are in for a matter of weeks and sometimes days." | "However, we cannot properly work on those dangerous people if we have a prison system that is full to the gunnels - which is what Dr McLellan was commenting on - of people who are in for a matter of weeks and sometimes days." |
The minister said in these less serious cases, often underlying problems, such as drugs and alcohol, could be identified and treated without locking offenders up. | The minister said in these less serious cases, often underlying problems, such as drugs and alcohol, could be identified and treated without locking offenders up. |
Tory justice spokeswoman Bill Aitken said the prison population could only be cut by cutting crime. | Tory justice spokeswoman Bill Aitken said the prison population could only be cut by cutting crime. |
He said: "If our prisons are overcrowded we should launch a real crackdown on crime, rehabilitate our prisoners in drug and alcohol free jails and have the guts to build more prisons if we need to." | He said: "If our prisons are overcrowded we should launch a real crackdown on crime, rehabilitate our prisoners in drug and alcohol free jails and have the guts to build more prisons if we need to." |