The release of sex offenders from Dumfries prison is �particularly alarming� because they refuse any rehabilitation, according to a report published yesterday.

The release of sex offenders from Dumfries prison is "particularly alarming" because they refuse any rehabilitation, according to a report published yesterday.

The report on Dumfries by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons (HMCIP) raises serious concerns about overcrowding, the lack of opportunities for inmates to work, care for elderly prisoners and engagement with sex offenders.

It also questions the use of the jail for immigrants awaiting deportation who have already served their prison sentence - two were still behind bars there yesterday.

Dr Andrew McLellan said prison was no place for those not serving sentences.

He also raised concerns about the "increasing trend" in elderly prisoners, but said some of the problems at the jail were not within its control - particularly the old and awkward buildings.

"The problem of preparation for release is particularly acute with regard to sex offenders held in Dumfries," said Dr McLellan. "It has been stated in previous HMCIP reports on Peterhead that sex offenders receive the worst preparation for release, despite being those prisoners of whom the public are most likely to be afraid.

"In Dumfries the situation is particularly alarming. Since those prisoners, unlike most in Peterhead, do not admit their guilt, they do not prepare for their release in programmes designed to address their offending behaviour.

"So, when their sentence is ended, it is quite possible that nothing will have been done in prison to encourage them to change anything.

"It is very important for public safety that people are not simply left to make the worst of their sentence."