Sarwar hits out at Nats over new £1bn prison

A £1BILLION replacement for Scotland's most notorious jail still won't be enough to ease the overcrowding crisis in the country’s prison system, Labour has warned.

- BY CHRIS MCCALL

More than 8300 inmates are banged up in an estate designed for 7805, despite the SNP government releasing hundreds of prisoners early.

The replacement for crumbling Barlinnie in Glasgow will add 357 spaces when it opens in the coming years, while HMP Highland will allow the estate to house 107 more inmates.

When added to the current capacity, the figure rises to 8269 - more than 100 places below current requirements.