Seven of the country’s 15 jails are at what is called ‘red status’.
Addressing the Public Audit Committee on Thursday, Scottish Prison Service chief executive Teresa Medhurst said the prison population had risen to 8,246 as of Tuesday – a figure she described as “extremely concerning”.
Ms Medhurst said seven of the country’s 15 prisons – two of which are privately run – have declared “red status”, meaning they are struggling to cope with their duties. “We have not tipped over the red, but should any factors change such as an increased demand on them or a degradation in the staff profile – for example in terms of either leavers or sick absences – then conditions would deteriorate very quickly and we would not be able to cope with the current demands being placed on us.”
MSPs were told HMP Barlinnie in Glasgow, which is due to be replaced, is among those to have declared ‘red status’
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