The Scottish Prison Service has insisted that the closure of Noranside open prison is “not imminent” as correspondence seen by The Courier suggested that it could lead to a rift in the SNP.
Corporate affairs manager Martin Birrell said that no decision on the establishment north of Forfar had yet been taken after new Angus North and Mearns MSP Nigel Don wrote to justice secretary and party colleague Kenny MacAskill stating the case for keeping the institution open.
A consultation which proposed centralising Scotland’s open estate at Castle Huntly, near Dundee, was launched in 2010 but plans were shelved until after the Holyrood elections due to a local and national outcry.
Supporters campaigned vehemently for its retention after the announcement just weeks after speculation over its future was dismissed as “groundless” by the Scottish Government.
Mr MacAskill has yet to comment but party members in Angus and beyond pushed for the facility to remain open, and Mr Don pledged to fight for it as part of his election campaign.
In his submission to Mr MacAskill he wrote, “I understand that the Scottish Prison Service is continuing to review its facilities and that the open prison at Noranside is being recommended for closure.
“While I think my constituents well appreciate the need to work within fixed budgets and the necessity for the Scottish Government to find savings within the criminal justice portfolio I ask that you give careful consideration to the wider effects which the closure of Noranside would bring.”
“Firstly the prison has a real economic value to the local community which provides a range of services to it.Few other jobs”I understand that the intention is that prison officers would not be made redundant but would be redeployed elsewhere, but there will nonetheless be a real loss to this rural area where there are few alternative sources of employment.”
“Secondly I remain concerned that the essential nature of the open estate will be compromised by the closure of Noranside it provides a vital rehabilitation service within the prison service which contributes to public safety when prisoners are released.
“The independent living unit will be particularly difficult to emulate elsewhere.”
It is understood that the letter is still being considered by Mr MacAskill.
Mr Don said, “I made a commitment to support the retention of Noranside during the campaign and I am pleased to be in a position to pursue this matter with the Scottish justice department.
“I shall report further when I have received a response.”
Forfar SNP councillor Glennis Middleton said she was “very pleased” that Mr Don had taken up the Noranside case so quickly adding that there is “no logic” in closing the establishment, which has been praised for its low abscond and re-offending rate.
She said, “It would make more sense to look at how the facility was run when the prisoners tended cattle and ran a garden centre selling their own produce, paving stones and garden furniture, which brought in valuable resources to Noranside, and consider reintroducing some of these elements.
“Prisoners could leave Noranside with a variety of job skills to help them find employment in their communities.”