Pair join effort to cut women prisoner tally

Published on Thursday 14 July 2011 17:57

A SHERIFF and a public health director have been appointed to a commission that aims to improve the way women offenders are dealt with in the criminal justice system.

The two new members will join former Lord Advocate Dame Elish Angiolini in an attempt to reverse the rise in the female prison population.

Overcrowding is considered a problem at Scotland's only all- female prison, Cornton Vale.

Further concerns have been raised about medical treatment for inmates, particularly those with mental health issues.

The new members are Sheriff Danny Scullion, based at Hamilton, Lanarkshire and Dr Linda de Caestecker, director of public health for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill announced their roles during a visit to the jail near Stirling.

He said: "Danny Scullion and Linda de Caestecker are respected individuals in their fields and will bring considerable experience in criminal justice and public health to look at one of the most pressing social justice issues of our time.

"The number of women in prison has more than doubled over the last decade. This situation cannot go on.

"We must find a more effective way of dealing with these women in the 21st century and this independently chaired commission will help us to do that."

The commission is expected to report back to the Scottish Government by February.