The governor of Perth Prison has said a £82.1 million refurbishment of the Victorian building has made a “massive difference” to the lives of inmates and staff.
Mike Inglis exclusively told The Courier that a new visitor centre and a host of new facilities at the Edinburgh Road site have helped morale of inmates and staff.
Prisoners are still kept in the infamous C Hall, but with much improved cells, while both A and B Halls were completely refurbished.
Mr Inglis said there are 40 inmates serving life sentences at the prison, 130 long-term prisoners, and between 12 and 20 inmates serving “short-term” sentences, two-thirds of whom will serve less than four years.
He added that the massive redevelopment of Perth Prison coupled with the ending of the draconian practice of slopping out has reaped benefits.
“Slopping out ended here on June 10 2006 and it made it better for everyone when this came to an end,” he said.
Phase one of the project led to activity spaces being built. These provide vocational and service training places across a wide range of work to assist with life skills and employment opportunities. This also included a new kitchen.
Phase two of the redevelopment centred on the new C Hall, health centre and gymnasium. Mr Inglis feels this provides staff and prisoners with a “better environment” to address offending behaviour, with a variety of rooms to assist with motivational interviewing.
The third phase included new visiting space to improve family access. Mr Inglis claims this is a “real motivator” for addressing offending.
“This has new locking to enhance our security, a recycling work shed to assist with meeting carbon reduction, new entrance, staff facilities and estates.
“Overall, the establishment is fit for purpose in a modern prison service, allowing staff to carry out their work in a positive environment. This benefits the community as a whole, as we continue to try and challenge prisoners to make changes in their lives. That reduces reoffending and ultimately makes Scotland safer.
“The facility now also allows more community partners to access our links centre to ensure the transition from custody to the community is managed robustly and positively.
“The prison now provides a wide range of learning facilities, work facilities and better facilities for our addiction and social work partners.”