Costs for new Inverness prison set to rise?

FEARS that the cost of a new prison for Inverness could be set to rise again have been raised by a Highland MSP.

Conservative member Edward Mountain spoke out after Scotland’s minister for community safety, Ash Denham, confirmed that costs for the new HMP Highland – to be built on land close to Inverness Shopping Park – will have to be “reviewed” after the finish date for the project was pushed back.

Originally expected to be completed in 2021 this was later revised to March 2023.

The estimated cost has also risen from £73.9 million to £80.5 million.

Mr Mountain said: “Plans for a new prison in Inverness have been in the pipeline for a long time and, under this Scottish Government, they look set to be stuck in the pipeline for even longer.

“The more times the new prison is delayed, the more the price increases.”

Ms Denham said: “The Scottish Government and the Scottish Prison Service are committed to modernising and improving the prison estate.

“However, as with all substantial capital projects, the timescale for HMP Highland is dependant on sufficient capital funding being available.”

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