Scotland's only womens prison

Several times a week I pass this building on my way into Stirling and I thought I would do a blip pic of it today to show that Scotland is not all castles and mountains.

This is Cornton Women's prison, the only one in Scotland.

Last year it hit the headlines because of a government report criticizing it mainly because of overcrowding.

Designed for 309 women it houses nearly 400.

Many years ago in my other life as a journalist I did go inside this prison and my recollection is that most of the women were in their early twenties and had drug, drink and mental health problems coming from broken homes and abusive relationships.
Hardened criminals they were not . Wee lost souls would be closer to the mark.


Wikipedia says

"It has been criticised for overcrowding, with 353 inmates being held there in November 2005 and the high number of suicides which have taken place there. Eleven women killed themselves while serving sentences at Corton Vale between 1997 and 2002.

In 2010, Brigadier Hugh Munro declared the prison in a "state of crisis", citing overcrowding, two-hour waits for the toilet, cold meals, lack of activities and a deep problem of prisoner boredom which was impeding rehabilitation.

In 2006, 98% of the inmates had addiction issues; 80% had problems with mental health and 75% were survivors of abuse. It also holds children, in particular the

babies of inmates who are imprisoned alongside their mothers and teenagers where there is no suitable accommodation available in young offenders institutions.