Capital plan to replace ‘miserable’ Cornton Vale jail

Plans are being drawn up to replace Scotland’s “miserable” women’s prison with one in the Capital, the Justice Secretary has announced.

Former lord advocate Dame Elish Angiolini, pictured, recommended the closure of Cornton Vale, near Stirling, in June, calling it “a miserable place”.

In a progress report to Holyrood’s justice committee, Kenny MacAskill said plans were progressing to action Dame Elish’s 
recommendation.

In his letter, before an appearance to discuss progress with the committee on November 6, Mr MacAskill outlined proposals to build a unit for women at HMP Edinburgh.

“I asked the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to begin identifying suitable alternatives to Cornton Vale leading to its replacement,” he wrote. “I had tasked the SPS with producing plans for a more suitable facility for the small number of women who are either serving long-term sentences or who present a significant risk to the public.”