PRISON GANG RISK TO JAILERS 'NEVER BEEN HIGHER'

Warning of rise in violence behind bars organised by crime gangs

-  STUART MacDONALD

A PRISON officer's car has been firebombed at HMP Edinburgh - the latest in a series of similar incidents.

Phil Fairlie, of the Scottish Prison Officers Association, believes the attacks have been carried out by organised gangs.

He said it highlights how his members are facing "unprecedented" threats and intimidation from violent criminals.

And he warned the risk to staff had never been higher due to the huge increase in organised criminals in prison.

Police Scotland confirmed it is probing last week's car firebombing outside HMP Edinburgh. Officers are also investigating an incident where a car was set on fire outside HMP Perth on July 6.

Six vehicles were also destroyed at HMP Addiewell in January this year.

Scottish Prison Service (SPS) intelligence reports have identified 538 ars individuals linked to serious and organised crime, around eight per cent of Scotland's total prison population.