14th July 2010
New community integration units are being opened in Aberdeen and Inverness prisons in an effort to reduce re-offending. Prisoners in the final months of their sentences could be transferred to their local jail where they will live in open conditions, complete work experience, classes and community projects and have the chance to visit and stay with their families. All female prisoners in Scotland serve their sentences in Cornton Vale prison, near Stirling, sometimes more than 150 miles from their family. HMP Aberdeen governor Audrey Mooney said: "At the end of the day, it's simply about getting women back to being able to function properly, back in their homes with their families. At present, there are no open prison facilities for women in Ireland, only closed medium-security prisons.
Click here for the full article.
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.