POLICE yesterday confirmed that nine women at Cornton Vale prison have been charged with physically and sexually assaulting a new inmate and a report has been sent to the procurator-fiscal.
It is understood that the 34-year-old had arrived in the prison a day before the alleged incident seven weeks ago in the remand block, Ross House. She was treated for minor injuries..
A spokesman for the Scottish Prison Service said the attack was an example of the problem that drugs can cause inside jails.
It is believed that women sometimes smuggle drugs into the jail, and prisoners often subject new arrivals to internal searches - a procedure which staff are prevented from carrying out under European law.
The nine women, aged between 21 and 41, are thought to be the first female prisoners in Scotland to be charged with such an assault.
SPS spokesman Paul Burgess said: ''It is not unusual for attacks to happen but they are not a regular occurrence. We are aware that many women at Cornton Vale smuggle drugs into the jail internally but people being attacked in a sexual way is unusual.''
Mr Burgess confirmed that police were called to the prison on June 12 after staff heard a commotion in one of the sitting rooms. He added: ''A formal remand prisoner alleged that she had been assaulted by nine other prisoners. She was treated for minor injuries. The police were called in. They carried out an investigation and as a result charges were brought against nine individuals.''
It is the latest controversy at Cornton Vale, which has seen eight suicides in the past three years, the majority of them in the remand block where people awaiting trial are held.
Bullying is considered to be a serious problem in female institutions and the Government is now attempting to reduce the number of women sent to jail.
Last month, the Scottish Office announced #40m of new spending to fund alternatives to imprisonment for offenders and there are plans to stop jailing women under 18 years of age.
At Cornton Vale, which houses around 200 inmates, staff numbers have been increased, cell observations have been improved, weekend activities have been increased, and a shared-cell policy is set to be introduced.
The suicide strategy has also been revised, bars have been moved from inside to outside windows, and a new scheme trains long-term prisoners in counselling skills.
Mr Burgess said: ''The aim is to keep people talking. We are aware that bullying goes on, especially among women, and staff are trained to look out for problems the prisoners may have. People are bullied for drugs, but it is a particular problem for people on prescribed medication.''
Drugs are most commonly smuggled into jails wrapped in film or packed into condoms then swallowed.
Meanwhile, a prison officer suspended from Barlinnie last week for allegedly talking to a journalist without permission will hear today what action will be taken against him.
Staff were threatening to strike after the unnamed officer was sent home on full pay on Friday.
A spokesman for the Scottish Prison Service said: ''The governor, Roger Houchin, has carried out an investigation and considers there is sufficient evidence to bring a case against the person involved. The governor's intention is that a disciplinary hearing should be held.''
If the strike goes ahead, staff will be breaking the law, changed three years ago to prevent members of the prison service from taking industrial action.
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