Liberal Democrats Justice spokesperson Robert Brown MSP has called for more details about Professor Alec Spencer's proposal to split up Scotland's prison services.

Professor Spencer, a former Governor of Scottish prisons, believes that splitting up the Scottish Prison Service would help tackle record overcrowding and reoffending. He believes that the national Prisons Service should continue to look after dangerous and long-term prisoners. The remaining inmates, on short term or custodial sentences, would then become the responsibility of Scotland's Community Justice Authorities (CJA).

Commenting, Mr Brown said:

"Liberal Democrats have led the campaign to reduce overcrowding in Scotland's prisons and tackle reoffending.

"The proposals put forward by Professor Spencer are interesting, but we will need to see more details of these plans. What counts, is whether any such changes are effective in tackling criminal behaviour and reducing reoffending."