New prisons could replace jails

Oct 22 2008

New jails could be built to replace two ageing prisons in Scotland.

The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) said work was now under way to find sites to replace HMP Greenock and HMP Inverness. The service cannot redevelop the existing jails where they are and warned it could be "some time" before deals are struck for new grounds in the local areas.

The SNP government has committed to paying for new prisons from the public purse but a spokeswoman said no money has yet been identified for the plans.