PRESS RELEASE

September 22nd, 2008

From the office of DUNCAN MCNEIL, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde

MSP meets governor of local prison

Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil met with staff at HMP Greenock during a tour of the prison this week.

He had been invited to the local prison by Governor Teresa Medhurst to discuss a range of issues, including drug treatment programmes, rehabilitation schemes and the long-term future of the Gateside prison.

The visit threw up a number of issues and insights that the MSP will now take up with the Scottish Government as part of the ongoing debate over the future of our prisons.

He said: “We face huge challenges in managing our prison population at the moment and people need reassurances that public safety will not be compromised by efforts to deal with overcrowding.

“One way to end the revolving door system currently in operation is to cut re-offending levels through effective rehabilitation programmes and ensure people are prepared for life once they are released, whether that be ending drug dependency or any other underlying problems.

“So I was delighted that the Scottish Prison Service invited me to HMP Greenock to see what efforts they are making to end this needless cycle.

“I was certainly impressed with the steps being taken in partnership with outside agencies to tackle the problems of those in the prison and hope the good work continues.”

ENDS