Kilmarnock Prison to be moved into public ownership

Kilmarnock Prison will move into public ownership after 25 years of campaigning by the Prison Officers Association (POA).

The POA says the move of Kilmarnock Prison and its staff into public ownership will enhance the integrity of Scotland’s justice system by prioritising prison staff and inmate welfare over profit-driven interests.

The prison has been run by the private company SERCO since opening and has been praised for being one of the lowest cost prisons.

However, according to Phil Fairlie, Assistant Secretary of the POA believes the low cost comes with its problems: “They are one of the cheapest prisons in the country because of the shortfall in terms of the compliment and also the dreadful terms and conditions in which the staff are employed.

“So, from a trade union perspective the project for us is the harmonisation of the terms and conditions of those in Kilmarnock with those in the public sector which will see an enormous benefit to them in terms of their salary, their annual leave and their day to day working regime.”

Kilmarnock Prison is a large 500-cell facility which opened in 1999 by the then Labour/Lib Dem Scottish Executive.

Phil Fairlie continues: “Today is the culmination of years of campaigning by our members. Prisons are a vital component of the justice system of any civilised society, they should never be seen as a commodity to generate profits for shareholders."

“This move can only enhance Scotland’s Justice system by prioritising the welfare of prison staff and inmates."

“As the POA extends a warm welcome to the staff of Kilmarnock into our union, we will continue to campaign for the eventual inclusion of staff from Addiewell, Scotland's sole remaining private prison which we hope to see in public ownership too.”

Hear the latest news on Clyde 1 on FM, DAB, smart speaker or the Rayo app.