Wing planned for female inmates

Under the plans the wing would house only female prisoners

A special purpose-built wing for female prisoners could be created in Edinburgh, it has been confirmed.

The £13m Ratho House complex, currently under construction, will house 116 prisoners by the end of the year.

The Scottish Prison Service said it was considering using it as an all-female wing in an effort to keep inmates closer to their community.

It would make Saughton the first prison in Scotland to house women in a purpose-built wing.

It is understood that women serving shorter sentences could be sent to Saughton instead of the women's prison at Cornton Vale, near Stirling.

A SPS spokesman said: "I can confirm that we have a project in place to look at the new accommodation at Ratho House in HMP Edinburgh to be used for female prisoners.

"This would be part of community-facing plans for the prison estate in Scotland, bringing people closer to their homes and services.

"There are no plans for Cornton Vale's role as the specialist centre for female offenders to be changed or any suggestion of its closure or disposal."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version