Plant 'could boost jail escapes'

The prison's governor said escapes could be planned from the incinerator

Building a large incinerator next to Perth Prison could lead to an increase in inmates escaping, according to the jail's governor.

Kate Donegan said the planned waste-to-energy plant in Shore Road could come as close as 40 metres to the jail.

She said the lorry ramp would be even closer and would provide an excellent vantage point for planning a break-out.

Ms Donegan also felt it would make throwing drugs, weapons and mobile phones into the grounds much easier.

In addition, she raised concerns that noise coming from the plant 24 hours a day would disturb the sleep of prisoners.

Inmates could then become involved in "concerted indiscipline" as a way of showing their anger, Ms Donegan stated.

Outline planning permission for the Grundon Waste Management incinerator was granted in 2006.

However, it was only when full details of the plant were unveiled earlier this year that the objections flooded in.

An artist's impression shows the 260ft chimney

The £100m development, which will burn rubbish to create energy, will feature a 260ft chimney, which some feel will dominate the view across the town.

Hundreds of letters of objection have been sent to Perth and Kinross Council, which is expected to consider the full plans for the incinerator next month.

In Ms Donegan's letter of objection she stated: "I have serious concerns about the close proximity of this enormous building to a residential facility which accommodates 363 prisoners plus staff.

"The [lorry] ramp also provides an excellent vantage point in terms of potential planning for assisted escape, for media intrusion or for members of the public trying to see and/or attempt to contact prisoners.

"The impact on the prison's security is currently assessed by me as high risk."

A spokeswoman for Grundon Waste Management said they had yet to see the letter and therefore could not comment at this moment.