JUSTICE Secretary Michael Matheson was last night urged to scrap a planned women's 'super-prison' in Inverclyde in favour of small local offender units that help families stay together.
Ahead of a Holyrood vote on the issue this week forced by Labour, the party's deputy leader Kezia Dugdale called on Michael Matheson to end growing speculation and rule out the new prison when he visits a women offenders' service tomorrow.
Dugdale said: "All the evidence shows locking up too many women doesn't cut down crime and has a devastating impact on the lives of the innocent children involved. It's time to do things differently. The SNP should do the right thing by Scotland and U-turn on their prison policy."
Two-thirds of female inmates have children, and last year the daily average was 431 inmates.
SNP ministers have confirmed the plan is under review, but have yet to announce a formal decision.
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