Workers are happy that Kilmarnock prison is now owned by the state for the first time in its 25-year existence.
When the 500-cell facility was opened by the Labour-Liberal Scottish Executive in 1999, it became Scotland’s first private jail. Despite the jail Officers Association’s (POA) objections, outsourcing behemoth Serco has been running the institution ever since.
Phil Fairlie, assistant secretary of POA, expressed his happiness that the Ayrshire prison would soon be taken over by the public and not be controlled by profiteers.
“Today is the culmination of our members’ years of campaigning,” he stated.
“Any civilised society’s justice system must include prisons; they should never be viewed as a commodity to be exploited for financial gain by stockholders.
The welfare of prisoners and staff will be prioritised, which can only improve Scotland’s justice system.
“While the POA welcomes the Kilmarnock staff into our union, we will keep pushing for the staff of Addiewell—the last private prison in Scotland—to eventually be included in public ownership as well.”
We reached out to the Scottish government for a response.
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