Plans to tackle noise disruption from prison

Long-running issues around noise emanating from HMP Stirling are the subject of fresh measures from ministers and prison chiefs.

- STUART MCFARLANE

Residents living near the prison complex have regularly raised complaints about the impact of “incessant” noise from the facility disrupting their daily lives - with some reports at the time outlining some children having to wear headphones to be able to sleep.

The issues were laid bare by an inspection report in 2024 by the then Chief Inspector for Prisons in Scotland, Wendy Sinclair-Gieben.

The report's findings praised both the design and commitment of staff, but urged prison chiefs to reconsider the layout of the prison’s Separation and Reintegration Unit (SRU).

Pressure from local representatives saw the issues brought to the desk of Justice Secretary Angela Constance, with reforms being worked on alongside the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) in order to finally tackle the noise concerns.