Short-term female prisoners denied methadone, finds report
Heroin addicts in Scotland's only women's prison are being denied access to methadone unless they are jailed for more than six months, it has emerged.
David Strang, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland, said only those serving longer sentences at Cornton Vale were being considered for Opioid Replacement Therapy (ORT). He called for a review as a “matter of urgency”.
Mr Strang also warned that the number of women in custody will need to be “significantly reduced” ahead of Scottish Government plans to close the prison.
Work began last year to move inmates from Cornton Vale near Stirling to Polmont, near Falkirk, ahead of the closure.