BAR HELL

Overcrowding crisis in Scots jails leaves 1800 cons sharing cells meant for single use

- PAUL HUTCHEON

PRISONS are "bursting at the seams" with nearly 1800 prisoners doubling up in cells built for one person.

Ten of the country's prisons are also overcrowded, with Barlinnie operating at 140 per cent capacity.

Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur, who unearthed the figures, said: "Overcrowding puts services at risk, threatens staff safety and makes it far more difficult to successfully rehabilitate people."

Campaigners have regularly warned about the human rights and safety implications of crammed prisons and new stats expose the extent of the crisis.

As of July, Addiewell and Dumfries prisons had an average occupancy rate of 103 per cent and 110 per cent.

The figures for Edinburgh, Glenochil, Greenock, Inverness and Kilmarnock also exceeded 100 per cent.

Low Moss was operating at 102 per cent while Perth was at 107 per cent. Barlinnie has a capacity of 987 but had an average occupancy rate of 1379.