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Open jail to close for Christmas Open jail to close for Christmas
(about 1 hour later)
An open jail is to close for Christmas while inmates go home on leave.An open jail is to close for Christmas while inmates go home on leave.
The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) confirmed Noranside prison, in Angus, will be mothballed for a week over the festive period.The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) confirmed Noranside prison, in Angus, will be mothballed for a week over the festive period.
The prison currently has about 100 inmates. Any prisoners not eligible for Christmas leave will be moved to nearby Castle Huntly prison.The prison currently has about 100 inmates. Any prisoners not eligible for Christmas leave will be moved to nearby Castle Huntly prison.
The SPS said the prison had also closed last Christmas. It is not known how many prisoners will be given leave.The SPS said the prison had also closed last Christmas. It is not known how many prisoners will be given leave.
The spokesman added: "That is the plan at the moment - we did that last year.The spokesman added: "That is the plan at the moment - we did that last year.
Many victims and families of those killed, are still bearing emotional or physical scars and will have to watch in horror as they are sent home to enjoy a week with their families John LamontScottish Conservative MSP
"The numbers in the open estate are quite low, but if you have prisoners in the open estate and they have been risk assessed, it makes sense that gets tested."The numbers in the open estate are quite low, but if you have prisoners in the open estate and they have been risk assessed, it makes sense that gets tested.
Many victims and families of those killed, are still bearing emotional or physical scars and will have to watch in horror as they are sent home to enjoy a week with their families John LamontScottish Conservative MSP
"That is part of the parole process. If the prisoners misbehave or breach their conditions they are back in closed conditions.""That is part of the parole process. If the prisoners misbehave or breach their conditions they are back in closed conditions."
The larger Castle Huntly, near Dundee, would be able to accommodate the reduced open population from Noranside over the festive period on its own.The larger Castle Huntly, near Dundee, would be able to accommodate the reduced open population from Noranside over the festive period on its own.
Serious offenders, including killers coming towards the end of their sentences, could be among those released.Serious offenders, including killers coming towards the end of their sentences, could be among those released.
Political rows
But Tory community safety spokesman John Lamont branded the plans "quite incredible".But Tory community safety spokesman John Lamont branded the plans "quite incredible".
He said: "Many victims of these criminals, and families of those killed, are still bearing emotional or physical scars and they will have to watch in horror as they are sent home to enjoy a week with their families."He said: "Many victims of these criminals, and families of those killed, are still bearing emotional or physical scars and they will have to watch in horror as they are sent home to enjoy a week with their families."
Political rows
A Scottish government spokeman said: "Only prisoners that have undergone a stringent risk assessment, conducted by the Scottish Prison Service, will be considered for being tested in home conditions - one of the vital functions of the open estate - over the Christmas period.
"These prisoners have already been subject to rigorous assessment prior to their progression to open prison."
The open estate has been at the centre of political rows in recent years.The open estate has been at the centre of political rows in recent years.
Sex offender Robert Foye absconded from Castle Huntly in 2007 after being let out to attend an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting and raped a 16-year-old girl before being recaptured.Sex offender Robert Foye absconded from Castle Huntly in 2007 after being let out to attend an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting and raped a 16-year-old girl before being recaptured.
This led to a tightening of controls over who is sent to open jails.This led to a tightening of controls over who is sent to open jails.
But this year murderer John Brown and armed robber Brian Martin - dubbed "the Hawk" - both absconded in quick succession from Castle Huntly.But this year murderer John Brown and armed robber Brian Martin - dubbed "the Hawk" - both absconded in quick succession from Castle Huntly.