New Inverness prison delayed again until 2027

Neil Gray

Justice Secretary Neil Gray told Holyrood that construction issues had pushed back the completion of the £209 million HMP Highland, which had most recently been due to open later this year. The prison was originally scheduled for completion in 2020.

The new jail will replace the ageing HMP Inverness, a Victorian-era prison more than 120 years old that has long faced problems with overcrowding. It will have capacity for 200 prisoners from the Highlands and Islands.

Updating MSPs during a statement on measures to tackle rising prison numbers, Mr Gray said: “Scotland has taken a number of steps to alleviate these pressures. Reconfiguration of the prison estate realised around 400 additional places and two further new prisons will deliver a further 460 spaces.

“I expect HMP Highland to be completed in spring 2027, later than planned due to construction issues, and HMP Glasgow, which I visited last week, in 2028.”

The Scottish Prison Service said it was disappointed by the latest delay but remained committed to delivering the new facility.

A spokesperson said: “With capacity for 200 people, it will be almost twice as big as HMP Inverness, which it will replaces, meaning that more individuals in custody from the Highlands will be able to stay close to home, supporting those relationships with family and friends, which is so important to rehabilitation and reducing the risk of reoffending.”