Scotland's Prisoner Housing Costs Rise to £50,000 Annually

The projected cost of constructing a new prison to replace Scotland's HMP Barlinnie has surged to nearly £1 billion, with delays pushing the opening to 2028. The contract, signed by Kier Construction, has escalated from an initial estimate of £400 million in 2019 to £998.4 million due to inflation and rising costs. Concurrently, the average annual cost of housing a prisoner in Scotland's jails has risen to approximately £50,000, reflecting a 26% increase since 2016. This financial burden has raised concerns about overcrowding, with plans for early release of prisoners amidst criticisms of the Scottish government's handling of the justice system. Scottish Liberal Democrats and Conservatives have highlighted the inefficiencies and rising costs associated with the current prison system and the need for reforms. The overall prison population reached 7,860 in 2023/24, marking an increase in both the number of inmates and the challenges faced by the prison system.