Almost 300 inmates from across the Highlands are in jail hundreds of miles from the north because Inverness prison – one of the oldest in the country – is too small.
The HM Chief Inspector of Prisons in Scotland, David Strang, who was at the Edwardian jail often known as Porterfield yesterday, delivered his report on the creaking institution.
He highlighted that 370 prisoners from the Highlands were currently in the criminal justice system, but only 104 were being detained in the Inverness prison.
Speaking ahead of the publication of his report today following an inspection of HMP Inverness, he welcomed the fact that more prisoners would soon be closer to home once the new jail was built at Inverness Retail Park, and which is expected to be completed in 2020.
He said: “There is insufficient space in Inverness Prison to accommodate those from the Highlands as the prison is too small. As a result prisoners are being regularly transferred to prisons in other parts of Scotland, which is not ideal.
“The Scottish Government has announced plans for a new prison in Inverness which will have twice the capacity and enable more prisoners from the area to be closer to their families.”
He said the transfers often happen at short notice, which inevitably disrupts family contact and continuity of medical care, and can result in a more challenging than necessary reintegration process.
HMP Inverness is not only one of the oldest remaining prisons in Scotland, having been opened in 1902, but is the country’s smallest and Mr Strang said that while efforts have been made to maintain its cleanliness and upkeep, some areas are no longer fit for purpose.
Access for prisoners with disabilities, he said, was limited, which meant that certain individuals were being discriminated against.
He added: “The building compares poorly with modern prisons in the country which have cells with toilets and showers. The new jail will be far superior and provide humane conditions for inmates.
“Throughout the inspection it was clear that there were positive relationships between staff and the prisoners, which contributed to a sense of safety and order in the prison.
“I was impressed with the level of commitment and flexibility shown by the staff to meet the needs of the prisoner population.
“I hope that once the new larger jail is open that this relationship continues.”
He also called on the prison service to provide suitable accommodation for female prisoners at the new jail when it is built.
He added: “It was encouraging to note that unlike all other Scottish prisons it was possible to support prisoners in their applications for Universal Credit, whilst they were still in custody, through a dedicated internet link with DWP.”
New jail planned for 2020
Scottish Prison Service bosses last year confirmed they had concluded a deal to build the new £66million jail at Inverness Retail Park.
The switch to the site in the West Seafield area of the Highland capital followed a vocal community campaign against ill-fated proposals to locate it at Milton of Leys.
The new HMP Highland will feature a series of modern aspects including a visitors building, family help hub and community integration unit, as well as parking.
It will provide space for up to 200 inmates from both the Highlands and Moray.
The wave-shaped design of the main building has been inspired by the River Ness. A security entrance will also be created across the existing bridge over the railway line to the rear of the proposed site.
The Scottish Prison Service said previously that work could start on the new prison in December and be finished by August 2020.
