SCOTLAND'S only women's prison has been branded "not fit for purpose" by a commission led by Dame Elish Angiolini, the former Lord Advocate.

The commission's report on female offending says HMP Cornton Vale in Stirling should be closed and replaced with a specialised prison and regional units. The report also calls for powers to be given to police and prosecutors to refer women to support services and programmes in their area as an alternative to prosecution and prison.

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