McArthur: SNP mismanagement all over Barlinnie replacement

Responding to the news that a replacement for Barlinnie prison will cost almost double its previous estimate, rising to nearly £1 billion, and will arrive three years after it was originally planned, Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP said:  

“The SNP government have monumentally mismanaged the replacement for Scotland’s biggest prison since day one.

“After spending years ignoring prison overcrowding, the SNP are now having to let out serial offenders. Inside prisons, assaults and violent incidents are rife, with staff having less time to work with individuals to cut the chances of reoffending.

“Scotland is crying out for this replacement, so we will need to see a serious and sustained effort by the Justice Secretary to get this vital project back on track.”