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Security review at Castle Huntly ordered |
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Friday, 25 January 2008 |
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has ordered an urgent review of security at HMP Castle Huntly after an inmate on day release absconded and raped a teenage girl.
Labour leader Wendy Alexander and Conservative leader Annabel Goldie both attacked First Minister Alex Salmond over the issue at First Minister’s Questions yesterday, demanding that security on the open estate be tightened and potentially dangerous prisoners be vetted better before being allowed out unsupervised.
The number of prisoners absconding from Castle Huntly has increased by 175 per cent since 2000. In 2006/07, 66 prisoners absconded from the prison.
MacAskill said he had asked both the Scottish Prison Service and the chair of the Government’s independent Prisons Commission, Henry McLeish, to examine the details and implications of the case:
“I have asked the chief executive of the SPS to carry out an urgent review into this case. I have also written to Mr McLeish, asking him to ensure the role of the open estate should be considered as part of his work.”
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One person has commented on this article. 1. Security review at Castle Huntly ordered
An ex offender, Unregistered Bullying is one of the main reasons people abscond from Castle Huntly. Absconding is a last resort. If we report it to the officers they don't care and then you have to face the wrath of the bullies again for "grassing". This is one of the main reasons so many people end up on heroin while in the Castle. The social workers treat you as if they've got better things to do when you try and talk to them too. The whole system needs a shake up .
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Last Updated ( Friday, 25 January 2008 )
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