McInnes wins Peterhead Prison pledge

2.15.01pm GMT Thu 20th Nov 2008

Aberdeenshire MSP Alison McInnes has today won an assurance from the Scottish Government that they will not forget about HMP Peterhead.

Speaking at Question Time in Parliament Mrs McInnes challenged the Justice Minister, Kenny MacAskill, to ensure that concerns over conditions at the prison, raised by inspectors last month, are not simply explained away with the promise of a replacement facility.

Commenting, Mrs McInnes said: "I am pleased that the Minister has pledged that the situation at HMP Peterhead will be kept on the Government's radar.

"Last month's report highlighted some problems that can only be rectified through the construction of a replacement prison for the North East, but the issue of inadequate purposeful work opportunities for inmates can be addressed now. I hope that Mr MacAskill will indeed make sure that it is."

Despite the Minister's assurances on the existing prison, he was unable to provide any further details on the timeframe for building the proposed new facility.

Mrs McInnes added: "The Minister is quick to note that he gave the okay for a new prison in the summer of 2007 - but we are now a year down the line, and still awaiting details. It is time for the Government to stop delaying, and to start making real progress.

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