The Chief Inspector of Prisons, Dr Andrew McLellan, has told BBC Scotland that prison overcrowding, with inmates at an all-time high, was making Scotland a more dangerous place. He said existing prisons are bursting at the seams.

He said with the prison system already severely overcrowded (Scotland's prisons are designed to hold 6000 and the current prison population is almost 8000) building more jails was not the solution.

He said: "We have far too many people who are not a danger to the community, who are petty offenders and who we need to punish in the community - not lock up and make the job of the prison service more difficult."

The situation has reached crisis point as the Celtic League predicted five years ago. At that time we gave written and oral evidence to the European Committee on the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment and Punishment (CPT) delegation which was visiting Prisons and Police Stations in Scotland and the Isle of Man.

A copy of the League written submission can be accessed via the link below.

(voir le site)

J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League

09/04/08