Mr Yousaf says three new prisons have been delivered since 2007, with significant refurbishment of existing prisons.

He cites work on the recommendations made on improving the estate for women.

The minister pivots to HMP Barlinnie and its replacement expected by 2025.

Plans to sell the current site, which opened in 1882, and re-locate to another area in the city or its surroundings were announced last year.

Overcrowding is a major problem in Barlinnie and in April the 987-capacity jail had a population of 1,449.

An application for an outline planning consent is being taken forward, Mr Yousaf adds, explaining there are many factors at play here that affect this infrastructure project.

Mr Yousaf says the average length of custodial sentence imposed is at the highest it has been in ten years.

This, combined with ending automatic early release and a reduction in home detention curfews, has led to Scotland locking up more people than anywhere else in Europe, he says.

The justice secretary says this is not a statistic to be proud of and he says a range of steps are being taken to bring prison numbers down, including:

• presumption against short sentences
• expanding electronic monitoring as an alternative to custody
• revised operational guidance for home detention
• collection of data on community justice services
• reviewing law on bail and remand

More money needs to be spent on the prison service, according to MSPs.

A report, external from Holyrood's justice committee said the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) is under substantial pressure, which is not sustainable.

With prisoner numbers at a near record high, it has also called for work to improve confidence in alternatives to custody.

The Scottish government said it had given extra cash to the SPS - and to criminal justice social work services.

Read more.

Image source, bbc

The justice secretary says the auditor general's report highlights the significant challenges posed by the rise in prisoner numbers and pressures on staff.

Mr Yousaf says HM Inspectorate of Prisons says in her most recent report staff reported feeling safe.

I am keen to working with members across this parliament to address concerns raised, he says.

Mr Yousaf says an additional £24m has been made available to SPS to address budget pressures.

The public spending watchdog has warned about financial pressures facing Scottish prisons.

The report, external found "severe pressures" were a threat to safety within prisons, as well as impacting reintegration services for those leaving prison.

In October four prisoner died in the space of four days.

The auditor general said the Scottish Prison Service's revenue budget reduced by 12.5% in real terms between 2014/15 and 2018/19.

Meanwhile, prisoner numbers increased by nearly 9% in 2018/19, to 8,212, and are set to rise further.

Image source, Getty Images

Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf will now make a statement on prisons, following a report from the auditor general.

Mr Ruskell says only five of the 18 recommendations of the transport strategy have been delivered.

Transport Secretary Michael Matheson insists progress has been made and that the government is committed to reducing car usage.

Tory MSP Jamie Greene asks about Transport Scotland measures to tackle ice falling from the bridge.

The minister replies there are a number of measures that are out to procurement.

Labour MSP Colin Smyth raises concerns about bus passenger numbers flatlining and asks about action to reduce car use.

Mr Matheson criticises Labour for not backing the workplace parking levy, before pointing to investment in rail and bus networks.

Green MSP Mark Ruskell seeks a response to reports that over one million extra vehicle journeys have been made over the Queensferry Crossing in the last year, despite the targets set out in the Queensferry Crossing Public Transport Strategy.

Image source, Getty Images

Scotland on Sunday reports..., external

"More than one million extra journeys have been made over the Queensferry Crossing in the past year despite ministers pledging that increased cross-Forth travel would be by public transport.

" A record of nearly 28 million vehicles used the bridge in the 12 months to October, 3.9 per cent more than in the same period the previous year, Scotland on Sunday has learned."

Tory MSP Michelle Ballantyne asks what actions were taken following analysis that showed one in seven schools in the Borders had a fire risk.

Ms Ballantyne asks for assurances that Peebles High School will be rebuilt.

Mr Swinney says the local authority has to ensure the school estate is safe.

Discussions about rebuilding the school are underway but it will be a challenge, replies the education secretary.

Education Secretary John Swinney says the government remains in close contact with the council and stands ready to provide support.

All preliminary exams have been postponed until after the Christmas period, he adds.

Ms Grahame highlights an announcement that will see 1,300 pupils displaced to Galashiels, but she suggests a better alternative would be to have pupils go to Penicuik instead.

The local authority has responsibility to address the continuous provision of education for young people, replies the cabinet secretary.

Facilities in Penicuik could be utilised if the council felt it was the right decision, he adds, pointing to the South East Improvement Collaborative which could help facilitate discussion between Borders and Midlothian councils.

SNP MSP Christine Grahame asks about assistance to Scottish Borders Council and the staff and pupils of Peebles High School should it remain closed beyond Christmas, including pupils preparing for their exams.

Image source, @1RIGZ

More than 1,000 pupils in the Borders should return to "face-to-face" teaching within days after their school was hit by a "devastating" fire.

Peebles High School will be shut until at least Christmas after a blaze broke out on the site on Thursday.

Plans for home learning have been put in place this week but work is ongoing to find alternative classroom space.

Read more.

Infrastructure Secretary Michael Matheson says there has been an effective multi-agency response to this outage.

The fault has been repaired and gas is being returned to the network, with an estimated 5,000 customers back on supply, he explains.

Mr MacDonald asks if there is merit in exploring the cause beyond the SGN investigation with perhaps a review of the pipeline infrastructure around Scotland.

Image source, bbc

The minister offers thanks and praise for Falkirk Council, the police and a range of third sector organisations for their response.

He says SGN are looking into the fault with the gas governor and any lessons that need to be drawn from this incident, must be.

Mr Matheson explains there will be compensation from people's gas supplier and help from Falkirk Council for those facing financial difficulties due to this incident.

SNP MSP Angus MacDonald asks about assistance for the multi-agency approach to the major gas outage affecting over 8,000 households in Falkirk district.

Image source, ANDREW MILLIGAN/PA

Almost all schools in the Falkirk area have reopened after a major gas network failure forced their closure on Monday.

Gas infrastructure company SGN said it had now reconnected supplies to more than 5,000 homes across the area following Sunday's outage.

About 3,000 properties remain without gas supplies.

Read more here.

Image source, bbc

Emma Jackson from Christians Against Poverty is delivering today's time for reflection.

That ends today's session of the environment committee.

Coming up this afternoon...

Image source, Getty Images

Topical questions cover the Falkirk gas outage, the Peebles High School fire and vehicles using the Queensferry Crossing.

Then the justice secretary will respond to the auditor general's report on prisons highlighting "severe pressures".

Then SNP MSP Jenny Gilruth will highlight a campaign to make Glenrothes in "living wage town" in a member's debate.

MSPs will then debate support for veterans.

Finally, Tory MSP Jeremy Balfour will highlight UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Image source, bbc

Claudia Beamish asks if the SSPCA should have more powers in terms of wildlife crime.

These crimes happen away from the public eye, so I think its difficult for the police to be there says Robbie Marsland.

Making sure organisations like the SSPCA, the RSPB and the League Against Cruel Sports have the ability to report findings to the police is important, he adds.

Mr Marsland says the current level of sanctions for wildlife crime are not enough to be a deterrent.

There should be a feeling that if you do something wrong, you could go to jail he argues.

"I can only commend the bill for its deterrence impact."

Image source, PA

Robbie Marsland of the League Against Cruel Sports says the key for him in terms of wildlife crime is deterrence.

Mr Marsland warns against particular animals being referred to in language as pests and needing controlling.

He explains his organisation believes vast swathes of animals are killed because they are deemed to be a pest to other animals like the red grouse.

However grouse are protected just to be shot and killed, he adds.

SNP MSP Stewart Stevenson highlights the likelihood of suffering is higher for service animals because they are put in more dangerous scenarios.

Libby Anderson agrees, suggesting there is an argument that animals which assist us should be protected by a greater duty of care.

She says attacks on such animals could possibly be considered an aggravated offence.