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Criminals will soon be locked up in ‘prefab prisons’ in a bid to tackle the overcrowding crisis in Scotland’s jails.
With the country’s existing prison buildings dangerously over-full, bosses hope to reduce the pressure behind bars by installing ‘rapid deployment cells’.
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bosses → click → cells
Under the scheme, prefabricated modular units will be set up for the first time in the grounds of a Scottish jail – each functioning as a self-contained cell with en suite bathroom.
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each → set → bathroom
The aim is to create extra spaces for prisoners – without the time or expense of building entire new jails.
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aim → create → jails
Although they have never been used before in Scotland, modular buildings have recently been trialled in English prisons – with feedback suggesting inmates ‘appreciated the modern, spacious, and well-equipped cells... which were seen as significant improvements’.
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which → use → improvements
Documents relating to the project state that the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) is currently seeking contractors ‘to provide a full turnkey solution including all services required to deliver modular (prison cell) accommodation.’
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contractors → relate → accommodation
Prefabricated modular units will be set up for the first time in the grounds of Castle Huntly jail
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units → set → jail
The first prefabs are to be installed at HMP Castle Huntly, near Dundee, the country’s only ‘open’ prison, which is currently set up to house 184 low-risk adult male inmates.
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which → instal → inmates
However the introduction of modular cells could significantly increase the number of prisoners held at the institution.
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introduction → increase → institution
The SPS said the introduction of modular cells was a ‘welcome step’ towards ensuring ‘the right capacity to meet the needs of our population.’
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introduction → say → population
A spokesman added: ‘As we have previously made clear, the size and complexity of the prison population is unsustainable and poses a significant risk to the safety of both those living and working in our establishments.’
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size → add → establishments
Scotland’s jails have been in the grip of a severe over-crowding crisis for several years, with governors warning that detaining too many inmates together – many from rival crime-gangs – has created a volatile environment with a higher risk of violence and problems for wardens.
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detaining → warn → wardens
Officially, the country’s prisons are only intended to hold 7,805 inmates, but as at September 11th, the population stood at 8,506.
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population → intend → 8,506
The prefab jail cells - also known as 'rapid deployment cells' are already being used in England, such as those at HMP Norwich, above
The overcrowding comes despite hundreds of prisoners being released early under emergency measures specifically implemented to bring down the population behind bars, and despite new rules allowing prisoners serving short sentences to be automatically released after just 30 per cent of their jail-time.
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prisoners → know → time
In England, various private companies have installed rapid deployment cells in prisons.
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companies → instal → prisons
Typically, individual units are bolted together or even stacked on top of one another to create a large interlinked cell-block.
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units → bolt → block
Each contains a desk, chair and bed as well as a private en suite bathroom with shower and toilet.
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Each → contain → shower
Last October research by the UK government suggested the modular cells were well received by prisoners.
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cells → suggest → prisoners
An official evaluation of 336 modular cells at five separate prisons found that prisoners enjoyed ‘increased autonomy and a more relaxed regime’ and were better able to ‘manage their own routines, walk unescorted to work, and participate more independently in daily activities such as cooking and cleaning.’
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prisoners → find → activities
The report said: ‘Prisoners appreciated the modern, spacious, and well-equipped cells, communal spaces, and outdoor areas, which were seen as significant improvements compared to the main wings.’
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which → say → wings
The modular cells were also said to have improved inmates’ mental health by creating ‘a calmer, quieter, and more respectful environment, with reduced exposure to noise, violence, and stress.’
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cells → say → noise
It added: ‘Features like natural light, unbarred windows, and the ability to step outside contributed to a more positive mental state.’
Wardens, meanwhile, said that offering the modular cells as a reward to the best-behaved inmates improved order and discipline.
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offering → add → order
The Aporia
