Unwholesome prison blues at Low Moss?
FEARS that a new 700-cell prison in Bishopbriggs has hit financial difficulties have been dismissed by the Scottish Government and prison bosses.
The claims were made by the Scottish Liberal Democrats about the maximum security jail to be built on the former Low Moss Prison site.
According to the Lib Dems, three firms bidding for the contract to build the new prison have been told their tenders are too high and to resubmit lower bids.
East Dunbartonshire MP Jo Swinson said: "The SNP's funding crisis must not have any negative impact on the quality of the new prison at Low Moss.
"The views of Bishopbriggs residents are already being ignored over the name of the new prison and now they face the prospect of living next to a prison that is being built on the cheap.
"The outbreak at the St Mary's Kenmure unit for young people in Bishopbriggs last year showed the real security risks that can be faced by people living near to secure facilities.
"The SNP funding crisis must not put public safety in danger."
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "The Scottish Government and Scottish Prison Service (SPS) are fully committed to building a new prison at Bishopbriggs at the best value to the public purse.
"We are investing record funding into the prison estate in Scotland - 120million per year over the next three years.
"The procurement process to identify a suitable contractor to build the new prison is a matter for SPS. It is following the normal EU (Competitive Dialogue) procedure - which always involves negotiations - and that process is advancing as expected.
"SPS have confirmed that the negotiation process will have absolutely no impact upon the awarding of the contract or the construction of the new prison."
The Scottish Prison Service has 'categorically confirmed' the renegotiations will not delay the award of a contract or construction of the prison in any way.
A SPS spokesperson said: "There seems to be a fundamental misunderstanding about the negotiation of contracts here.
"We advertised for people who might be interested, looked at their track records, drew up a shortlist, then asked them to submit their first bid.
"We are not at the stage of negotiating with the bidders and we expect to appoint someone in the summer.
"This isn't an interruption at all. It is merely part of the process."
The claim by the Lib Dems came following a visit to the Low Moss site by the party's leader in Scotland, Tavish Scott, amid a campaign to stop the new prison being named HM Prison Bishopbriggs.
So far, more than 800 residents have signed petitions set up by MP Jo Swinson and Woodhill Residents' Group calling for the Scottish Prison Service to rethink the name change.
Strathkelvin and Bearsden MSP David Whitton has also written to 1,000 residents to ask their views.
MSP Tavish Scott said: "Local residents have made it clear they are against the name of the new prison, but the Scottish Prison Service has so far been unresponsive to their protests.
"Against the backdrop of strong local opposition there is clearly a need for the Justice Secretary to intervene by scrapping the proposal for the new prison name."
The SPS says HM Prison Bishopbriggs is only a 'working title' for the new facility and it could be several years before the name of the prison, scheduled to open in 2011, is formally decided.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Kirkintilloch
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 14 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 6 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
