McArthur responds to stark prison warning

Responding to the warning from Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, that the system is “simmering on the brink of a crisis” and that “too much” is expected of staff who are facing increased risks of violence and burnout, Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP said:

“For years, Scottish Liberal Democrats repeatedly said that prison overcrowding was a ticking time bomb.

“Despite calls from my party and many organisations in the justice sector, the SNP government has failed to take adequate measures, only acting at the eleventh hour when things had already spiralled.

“This crisis has developed on the SNP’s watch. To turn things around, we urgently need to see ministers investing in credible community sentences, driving down remand and properly resourcing staff so they can focus on rehabilitating prisoners and cutting reoffending.”