The women’s unit at Inverness Prison has now reopened, with two prisoners being housed in the Highland capital.
The community reintegration unit was closed more than a year ago because of a lack of inmates meeting its strict criteria.
The facility opened in July 2010 and was later hailed for cutting re-conviction rates.
Prisoners were eligible for transfer to Inverness if they were from the area, within a year of their release date and free of drugs.
The two women have been transferred from Cornton Vale, in the run-up to their scheduled release.
Chief Inspector of Prisons David Strang said yesterday that he was pleased the unit was being used, and if it had remained mothballed he would have recommended a review of its purpose.
