HMP Kilmarnock transfers into public ownership

HMP Kilmarnock has been taken into public ownership

A prison in Ayrshire has become the first of its kind to pass into public ownership.

HMP Kilmarnock was run by Serco on behalf of Kilmarnock Prison Services Ltd but the firm's contract came to an end on 17 March.

The jail, which opened in 1999, has now been brought into the Scottish Prison Service's (SPS) estate.

The move comes with the estate under pressure over concerns about its fitness for purpose and overcrowding.

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The Prison Officers Association (POA) previously campaigned for the jail to be brought into public hands.

SPS chief executive Teresa Medhurst said HMP Kilmarnock was "well run" and had "long-standing links to its local community, and a determination to deliver the best possible outcomes for those in its care".

She added: "The strong relationships underpinning the prison are a credit to the senior leadership team and staff who work there, and have undoubtedly contributed to its overall success.

"The transition of HMP Kilmarnock has been a unique and momentous responsibility for all involved, and I am grateful to those in SPS, Serco, and KPSL who have worked tremendously hard to do so successfully."

'Catastrophic failure'

Earlier this week, Wendy Sinclair-Gieben, chief inspector for prisons for Scotland said HMP Barlinnie in Glasgow was at risk of "catastrophic failure", while HMP Greenock should be "bulldozed" - though praised the relationships and staff at the latter jail.

Scotland's prison population could hit an all-time high of 8,700 inmates later this year.

It is thought the rise is driven by increases in prisoners starting their sentences and increases in those being held on remand before trial.

Appearing before the public audit committee at Holyrood on Thursday, Ms Sinclair-Gieben said it was clear some parts of the estate were reaching their end of life.

She said: "We have an ageing population, the demographic is very different to where it was 20 years ago.

"We need to accept that is the case and build an estate or manage an estate that is fit for purpose, or reduce our population by looking at community alternatives.

"Barlinnie is overcrowded, I think Barlinnie is at risk of catastrophic failure, you've got Greenock which, frankly, should be bulldozed."