A new report by Audit Scotland has found that almost £300m has been spent over the past six years on improving conditions in Scotland’s prisons but the number of places has stayed the same.

The report, Managing increasing prisoner numbers in Scotland, confirms that prisoner numbers reached a record high of about 7,700 in April 2008. It adds that, because the number of places has remained largely unchanged in recent years, 11 of Scotland’s 14 prisons are overcrowded and more than one-fifth of prisoners are sharing cells designed for one person.

The report also finds that between 2000/01 and 2006/07, the average number of prisoners in Scotland increased by 20 per cent and the number is expected to rise by the same level again by 2016/17. Plans to increase prison capacity, including building three new prisons, may not be enough to accommodate these numbers if present trends continue.

Overcrowding restricts prisoners’ access to rehabilitation activities which aim to cut re-offending. Currently about 65 per cent of prisoners are reconvicted within two years of release. Rising prisoner numbers can also lead to different categories of prisoner sharing accommodation and put pressure on services such as family visits and healthcare.

Auditor General for Scotland Robert Black said: “Significant amounts of money have been spent improving the conditions inside Scotland’s prisons, but more than one in five prisoners are still sharing cells designed for one person. With the current projections indicating that the prison population could rise as much by 2016 as it has done since 2001, it will be important to improve access to programmes that help to reduce reoffending as well as ensuring an adequate number of prison places."

Responding to the report, Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill today reiterated his determination to develop a coherent penal policy for Scotland.

He said: “While this report is to be welcomed we are already addressing a number of the recommendations as a matter of urgency. Many of the points raised are also being closely looked at by the independent prisons commission.

“We have already made some progress in terms of revitalising community penalties and making record investment in the prison estate. But we cannot progress as quickly on this agenda as I would like until we tackle the problems of prison overcrowding.

“I have always believed that prison should be for serious and dangerous offenders - which is why we are building three new prisons and committing record investment to our prison estate.

“However we can't just build our way out of the problem. For every prison being built it means one less hospital or school for our communities.”

He added: “The time offenders spend in prison should be used to work pro-actively with them to reduce their risk and propensity to re-offend. The SPS has impressive risk management programmes but progress is being hindered because the system is having to cope with severe pressures caused by ever increasing prisoner numbers.

“I remain committed to driving forward a modern penal policy that provides for the right mix of tough community penalties for less serious offenders and prison for dangerous and violent criminals.

“I am also looking forward to receiving the recommendations of the McLeish Commission at the end of next month. I am confident it can help provide a valuable springboard for future policy.”

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