Open prisons 'failing' inmates

Release programmes could be better, according to Dr McLellan

Scotland's two open prisons have been criticised for not properly preparing inmates for life after release.

Dr Andrew McLellan, Scotland's Chief Inspector of Prisons, spoke of his "disappointment" at the preparation for release programmes at Castle Huntly and Noranside jails.

Long-term prisoners are moved to open prisons when they near the end of their sentences to prepare them for release.

Some inmates are given jobs on the outside but return to jail at night.

Other prisoners are also allowed to go home for the weekend as part of their rehabilitation.

But in his report published on Tuesday, Dr McLellan said neither prison was doing enough to prepare inmates for life on the outside.

The general issue of preparation for release is perhaps the biggest disappointment of the report Dr McLellan

He said: "The general issue of preparation for release is perhaps the biggest disappointment of the report.

"Sentence management, quite fundamental to prisoners as they prepare for release, is scarcely taking place at Noranside and has also deteriorated at Castle Huntly."

Dr McLellan also said employment opportunities for Castle Huntly inmates had also declined.

The most recent figures show that Castle Huntly, near Dundee, houses 155 inmates while Noranside, near Forfar, has 130 prisoners.

Between January and September last year, 42 Castle Huntly inmates and 12 from Noranside absconded, according to the report.

The number of Castle Huntly inmates testing positive for drugs has fallen from 36% to 23%, although the Noranside figure has risen from 17% to 28%.

Dr McLellan said other areas of prison life, such as accommodation, food, safety and healthcare, were up to scratch.

He also welcomed the development of a drug strategy to help prisoners kick their habit.

Dr McLellan said that relationships between staff and inmates at both prisons was "excellent".