Readers' Best Comments

Illicit drugs found on exiting Saughton inmates, a vision for an 'arts hotel' and thickening plots brought forth opinions

Shock figures revealed that one third of inmates freed from Saughton Prison tests positive for illegal drugs. There's no bar to opinions from website users.

If they test positive on release date, why set them free to do the same or more outside?

The Real Alfonsa Pedrosa

Testing positive for drugs is not a criminal offence. Committing a crime to fund a drugs habit is. But desperate people resort to desperate measures and I'm sure if my body were screaming out for a fix as the only way to escape a living hell, I'd do whatever was necessary.

just another person

Really, it sounds like 1 April has come early. How we ever got into a situation like this is just incredible. Prison is prison and the blighters who end up there should be treated as such. That means a regime that shows them that it doesn't pay to commit crime, not this hotel at the taxpayers' expense.

Black Five

Is it not the case that prisoners are generally released on parole, part of the way through their sentences? If this is so, then why not have a ruling that states that possession of, or a positive test for drugs will result in this "privilege" being rescinded and the crims will consequently spend the rest of their sentences in prison?

digestive biscuits V

If we can't even keep drugs out of jail, it's time to conclude that the War On Drugs is over and drugs won.

A Friend of Fernando Poo,

Why have we not adopted the "no contact" screened visitors rooms like in the US? If they don't like it tough, too soft on these numpties.

Ecto

After being closed down for decades, the A-listed former Royal High School on Calton Hill could be redeveloped into a 35m "arts hotel". Some of you have reservations.

I can't believe, that in 40 years, the powers that be haven't managed to find a suitable occupation for such an important building. Nothing happens fast in the sleepy hollow that is Edinburgh. The Patron Saint of Edinburgh should be changed from St Giles to (St) Rip Van Winkle.

Scary Bear

I think it would make a great McDonalds drive-thru.

Mince Pie Supper

Delighted that it isn't some goofy idea for some touchy feely arts organisation, etc which in reality always means a black hole for taxpayers' to be poured into. It's time for this council to start seriously saving and generating revenue rather than just continually pouring it down a hole.

Jock MacSprog

The council has revealed plans for 2,100 new allotments across the city, but rents will rise from 60 to 100 over the next few years. Can you dig it?

60 a year rent is quite good value, even when it goes up to 100 it will be. You could buy (or make) a massive garden shed, move in all your gear and it would be just like living in the country.

digestive biscuits V

Unbelievable – the council actually doing some good for Edinburgh and its citizens – bet it never happens, or the whole lot gets privatised and the rent goes up to 1,000 a year.

It's Leith for me!

Fantastic news, even more public land lost to nothing more than a private members club. Don't believe me? Try walking through any city council allotment sites and see how far you get before you are told it is private and you should leave.

Rugal