Staff shortage hits women's unit

Prison bosses are seeking to recruit new warders

A recruitment crisis has halted the re-opening of the women's unit at Aberdeen's Craiginches Prison, it has emerged.

Female inmates were temporarily transferred to Cornton Vale in Stirling last month to allow refurbishment work.

But they have been unable to return to Aberdeen because there are not enough staff to run the new centre.

The Scottish Prison Service said it was speaking to candidates and was hopeful it could find more warders.

The women's unit at Craiginches was shut down after conditions were criticised in a recent inspector's report.

Recruitment drive

Work to address the problems began six weeks ago and seven inmates were transferred to Cornton Vale.

It had been expected they would return in weeks, but BBC Scotland has learned that staffing levels mean it has not been possible.

An SPS spokesman said 25 potential recruits were being spoken to following a careers fair in Aberdeen last weekend.

However, he could not say how soon new staff would be employed.