Aberdeen Prison will finally shut its doors today, bringing its 124-year history to an end.
The Victorian jail will officially shut as it makes way for the opening of the new “super prison” nearing completion next to the old Peterhead Prison.
By the time the gates are locked, just over 200 inmates will have been transferred to jails at Perth and Barlinnie, in Glasgow.
A Scottish Prison Service (SPS) spokeswoman said: “Aberdeen will be closing on Friday, January 10.
“All prisoners in Aberdeen will be relocated elsewhere within the estate by midnight on the ninth.”
Opened in 1890, Aberdeen was a medium-security prison, catering mainly for offenders from the north-east.
It was originally built for 155 inmates but in recent years was criticised for being one of the most crowded prisons in Scotland.
Henry John Burnett, the last man to be executed in Scotland, was hanged at the jail on August 15, 1963. His body was buried in an unmarked grave within the walls.
Inmates at the jail and those from the old Peterhead Prison, which closed last month, will take part in a pilot “virtual visiting” project to keep in touch with their families via video link.
North-east Tory MSP Nanette Milne expressed concern that this could impact on families and rehabilitation.
“The fact that for a significant period this will see families having to travel to Perth could clearly impact on families and children,” she said.
“The prison service have stated that they intend to provide a video link for north-east families. However questions remain over access to this.”
The SPS said the video project will start on Monday from the Aberdeen offices of Apex Scotland. Two rooms will be available offering half-hourly slots. Evening sessions will also be available.
The SPS spokeswoman said: “The SPS recognises the importance of encouraging and assisting prisoners to have positive relationships with their loved ones, as maintaining links with family can offer benefits in terms of re-integration back into the community and reduce the risk of re-offending.
“Providing video-link facilities for families from the north-east to maintain vital contact with those in custody, without having to travel, prior to the opening of HMP Grampian is part of that process, and we are confident that we are going to be in a position to meet demand via that service.”