Scotland’s only open prison underused, report finds

HMP Castle Huntly, in Longforgan near Dundee, is able to house 285 inmates – but had only 100 at its last inspection.

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland (HMIPS) said there was a “stark choice” unless better use was made of the prison and suggested it could be closed altogether.

The report detailed that this would allow other prisons to run more open regimes, but added that it would be “hard to replicate the inspiring and restorative tranquillity of HMP Castle Huntly”.

The report said: “With numbers so low, the establishment are unable to offer as many community placements and opportunities as they may like, and secondly, individuals are needed for the effective running of the prison.

“This combination negatively impacts the rehabilitative effect the establishment could offer.”

It added: “The Scottish Prison Service therefore has a stark choice.

“It can either continue running an underutilised and expensive facility or unblock the barriers to progression to ensure more effective use is made of HMP Castle Huntly.”

A spokesperson for the Scottish Prison Service said: “We have been working hard to make further improvements to the progression of people in our care, from the more secure to the open estate, and this has seen a 25 per cent increase in the population of HMP Castle Huntly, since April.”