STRICT RULES ON OPEN ESTATE MUST BE FOLLOWED

STRICT RULES ON OPEN ESTATE MUST BE FOLLOWED

MSP Andrew Welsh, whose Angus constituency includes Castle Huntly Open Prison today welcomed the Spencer report and said SPS must follow the strict rules on the Open Estate introduced by the Scottish Government.

Speaking as the Spencer Review into absconds from the open estate was published Mr Welsh said;

“It is vital that procedures to decide who is eligible for the open estate are strictly followed by the Scottish Prison Service. This lapse in standards must not happen again.

“The SNP Scottish Government’s introduction of strict new criteria has cut absconding rates but it is essential these procedures are followed on all occasions and I welcome Professor Spencer's recommendations.

“The rate of absconding from open prisons is one-eighth what is was under the Tories, and one fifth what it was under Labour - a record low of 16 in 2008/09 under the SNP, compared to 79 under the Labour/Liberal administration in 2006/07, and 98 under the Tories in 1996/97.

“The staff at Castle Huntly do a good job but it is essential that SPS ensure only those prisoners who should be in the open estate are in the open estate and that any prisoner who breaks the rules or abuses the trust placed in them is punished accordingly.”