The young offenders wing of a north-east prison could benefit from a half a million pound investment – despite housing only two inmates.
The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) has begun advertising for youth services to help boost their rehabilitation programmes at its three young offenders institutes across the country.
But the youth wing of HMP Grampian has lain all but empty for more than a year, following a riot at the new prison that prompted bosses to move the offenders 100 miles away to YOI Polmont.
Yesterday’s announcement by the SPS comes just days after North East MSP Lewis Macdonald slammed the service for keeping the youths away from the region indefinitely – which goes against what the jail was designed to do.
Last night Mr Macdonald has said this announcement is a step in the right direction.
“Clearly I’m keen that young people be held closer to home if at all possible,” he said. “So there is a degree of encouragement.
“However it is a bit disappointing the prison service has not been able to set a date or tell us what conditions need to be met before young offenders can return.”
Last night a spokeswoman for SPS said the prior information notice that has been issued gives people an opportunity to
“register their interest” in providing youth services.
“Should we send young offenders back there need to be provisions and services for them there,” she said. “That’s what this is about.”
The advertisement states: “SPS has an ongoing requirement to provide youth work services to young offenders in HMYOI Polmont, HMP YOI Cornton Vale and HMP & YOI Grampian.”
The service’s budget for the project is £540,000, excluding VAT. SPS will host a meeting for potential suppliers later this month.
HMP Grampian was launched in March last year and hailed as the first of a new generation of jails in Scotland. It was designed to be the first in the country to house male, female and young offenders close to their families.
However it was plunged into crisis only weeks after opening when rioting adult male inmates caused tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage. All but two female young offenders were moved from the site.