Jail bosses are to spend tens of thousands of pounds turning some of the north-east’s most notorious criminals into DJs.
The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) is setting up a radio station inside the new HMP Grampian – and inmates will be taking to the airwaves. Glasgow’s Barlinnie – once home to wife-murderer Malcolm Webster – will also be getting its own station.
SPS said the scheme was vital to help rehabilitate dangerous criminals at the new 500-capacity HMP Grampian at Peterhead.
But last night, MSPs condemned the plans.
The north-east “superjail” is expected to open its doors next March and will replace both Peterhead Prison and Craiginches in Aberdeen. It will be used to house male, female and young offenders, and is being built on the existing jail site in the Buchan port.
The SPS has agreed to spend £71,500 buying equipment to produce shows five days a week, although no material will be broadcast live. Inmates will get a chance to train for an SVQ in media presentations, and their shows could even be shared with other prisons in Scotland.
Peter Morris, the brother of Webster’s victim, Claire Morris, said last night he was sceptical about the plans. He said: “I can see why prisoners should be given something constructive to do with their time but I’m not sure DJing would be it.”
North East Labour MSP Richard Baker described the scheme as “bizarre”.
He said: “Obviously it is right that, when people are in jail, they are given the chance to learn new skills which will help them find a job when they get out and break the cycle of reoffending.
“However, £71,500 would be better spent giving prisoners skills which they can actually use on the outside. How many inmates will get jobs as DJs when they get out? Not very many.
“I think it is fair to say that people will be left scratching their head at this initiative – turning inmates into DJs is just bizarre. The SPS will have their work cut out justifying this spending.”
Scottish Conservative MSP Alex Johnstone said: “Some people may say that the DJs we already have in the north-east are criminal. But joking aside, I think the resources should be spent equipping people with better skills than this.”
A spokeswoman for the SPS defended the scheme. “We have successfully implemented radio station projects at other prisons within the estate, including Inside Radio at HMYOI Polmont, which was praised by the former chief inspector of prisons, Brigadier Hugh Monro, as a positive programme,” she said.
Two staff members will be trained for the project.
The spokeswoman added: “Running costs will be minimal as once the equipment is installed, content will be produced by the small prisoner team, with supervision from the staff manager and assistance from learning centre staff.”
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