Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has praised the work of Craiginches Prison for “setting the standard” for the rehabilitation of female offenders.
Speaking at the official reopening of the community integration unit for inmates yesterday, the minister described the work being done as “innovative”.
He said: “The work done here is a perfect example of the kind of innovative approach that is needed to support women making the transition from prison life back into the community.
“This approach recognises the complex rehabilitation needs of prisoners and is setting the standard in helping women offenders who are coming towards the end of their sentences to get their lives back on track.”
The unit, which can accommodate eight prisoners, was closed for refurbishment in 2005, requiring female offenders from the north-east to be held at Cornton Vale, near Stirling.
Since then, however, the unit has benefited from £43,500 worth of investment by the Scottish Prison Service, which means low-supervision female prisoners coming to the end of their sentence can be held nearer to their homes and families.
Offenders, who must have a postcode near to the prison and no more than 12 months left to serve to qualify for the facility, are offered opportunities to help them re-integrate into the community.
Mr MacAskill, who met four prisoners on his visit to the Aberdeen prison, said: “Here in the north-east, the unit is giving female prisoners from the Aberdeen area the opportunity to serve the end of their sentences closer to home.
“Giving them access to local community organisations who provide work and training placements helps give them the skills they need to adjust to life when they are released.
“It also ensures that they are closer to their families, which is especially crucial in the cases of mothers who will be reunited with their children when they are released.”
Despite Mr MacAskill’s enthusiasm for the unit, the plan for a “super-jail” at Peterhead means the facility will be closed, with the rest of Craiginches, once HMP Grampian is built.
The justice secretary has defended the investment, saying: “HM Prison Grampian has not yet opened.
“In the interim it is better for those who have to return to Aberdeen that we seek to re-integrate them here in the city.”
A spokesman for the Scottish Prison Service said it hoped HMP Grampian will be finished by 2013.