Prisoners' Easter party treat leaves politicians cracking up

PRISONERS at Saughton jail were treated to an egg-painting "party" on Easter Sunday, it has emerged.

Thirteen inmates received a visit from their children at the jail, with youngsters taking part in a competition to paint eggs for prizes with the help of their parents.

Local politicians today criticised the event, but the Scottish Prison Service said the activity was important for maintaining relationships between prisoners and their families.

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One prisoner at the jail said wardens had "handpicked" their "favourite" inmates to take part in the Easter "party" treat, causing resentment among those left out.

Gavin Brown, Tory MSP for the Lothians, said the incident showed why confidence in the justice system was so low.

He said: "Members of the public will be disappointed to hear that these are the type of activities being carried out by prisoners at Saughton.

"Public confidence in the justice system is at an all-time low and it is little wonder why. We support proper rehabilitation, but I can think of few circumstances when these types of activities can be described as that. It is time that the SNP government put the victims of crime first, not the criminals."

A spokesman for the Scottish Prison Service said: "Maintaining family contact, particularly around specific family occasions such as Easter, is important for prisoners and their families.

"Children should not be punished for their parents' crimes.

"Maintaining family contact is also very important in helping prisoners address their crimes by recognising the impact it has on their families. Doing so hopefully means that they will return to society less likely to offend in future."

Nancy Loucks, chief executive of charity Families Outside, said having contact with their children was a good way of reducing prisoners' likelihood of reoffending.

She said: "Family contact is the best proven way of reducing the risk of reoffending. We believe very strongly that families are the innocent victims and we are trying to make sure the impact on the children is reduced.

"Events like this are a way of making sure they can have some sort of family contact with a parent in prison."

It is not the first time that events at Saughton have sparked controversy. In 2006, prison bosses were criticised for putting on bingo nights for prisoners, with some wardens claiming the jail was becoming "like Butlins".