What is Castle Huntly Prison Like?
What is Castle Huntly Prison Like? – A Closer Look at Scotland’s Only Open Prison
Overview
Castle Huntly Prison, known formally as HMP Castle Huntly, is a unique establishment located about seven miles west of Dundee in the Carse of Gowrie, Perth and Kinross. As Scotland’s only open prison, Castle Huntly accommodates low-supervision adult male offenders and focuses on their rehabilitation and preparation for release. The facility operates with an ethos distinct from closed establishments, emphasizing enhanced personal responsibility, job readiness, and positive citizenship.
What is Castle Huntly Prison Like?
Unique Features and Controversies
Among its unique features is a recently-developed leisure hub equipped with an outdoor gym, crazy golf, and putting. Castle Huntly Prison offers a wide array of amenities, from cycling and running tracks to fitness clubs, designed to keep inmates both mentally and physically active. A spokesman from the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) stated that the leisure hub was developed with input from the residents themselves, taking into account various fitness levels. These outdoor facilities not only alleviate boredom but also contribute to better mental health among the inmates.
However, these leisurely features have been met with criticism. Tory MSP Liam Kerr expressed concerns, stating that crime victims may find it hard to accept criminals having access to such activities. Despite the controversy, the SPS defends these facilities, stating they were introduced due to COVID-19 restrictions to encourage socially-distanced outdoor exercise, which has proven benefits for physical and mental health.
What is Castle Huntly Prison Like?
Capacity and Underutilization
With a design capacity of 285 men, Castle Huntly is significantly underutilized. A recent inspection by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland (HMIPS) warned that the prison service faces a “stark choice” of continuing to run this underused facility or to repurpose it. The low number of inmates has also impacted the prison’s ability to offer community placements and other opportunities, which in turn affects its rehabilitative potential.
Human Rights and Rehabilitation
According to HMIPS, Castle Huntly fulfills a number of key human rights obligations, providing a less restrictive model of imprisonment and focusing on community reintegration. Despite its potential to serve as a flagship establishment, the prison is underutilized, hampering its efficacy in rehabilitation efforts.
Conclusion
Castle Huntly Prison is a facility with a dual role—serving as both a point of contention and a model for a less restrictive, more rehabilitative approach to incarceration. As Scotland’s only open prison, it aims to contribute to safer communities by preparing inmates for a successful reintegration into society, albeit amidst ongoing debates about its methods and effectiveness.
