Published: Wednesday, 1st October, 2008 16:30
JAILS PACKED TIGHT
By Craig Winning
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Too many people are being sent to prison before they are even found guilty of an offence.
Leading local lawyer Robert Logan believes that the number of people from Cumnock and Doon Valley jailed on remand is contributing to the overcrowding issue at Kilmarnock’s Bowhouse Prison.
There are currently 648 prisoners held at Bowhouse which is nearly 150 more than the ideal capacity.
And Mr Logan believes this is leading to growing health and safety issues, and could impact on the rehabilitation of offenders.
A report from Audit Scotland says that the overcrowding of prisons such as Bowhouse needs to be addressed immediately as it is impacting on the proper management of prisoners.
Double the number of prisoners in East Ayrshire were sent to prison on remand than last year.
Robert Logan believes something must be done now. He said: “Increasingly we are seeing people having to go to Barlinnie Prison in Glasgow because there are no spaces at Bowhouse and that is just people on remand who have not been convicted of an offence.”
FOR MORE SEE THE CHRONICLE OCTOBER 1 EDITION
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