Prisoner treats need to be earned, they are not a right

Following reports of luxuries on offer to prisoners this festive season, Bill Aitken MSP, Shadow Minister for Community Safety, raised the issue today at FMQs.

Speaking after FMQs, Bill Aitken MSP said:

"You could be forgiven for thinking that this Christmas, the halls of Barlinnie will be decked with holly, the Saughton prisoners will puff on a cigar after a Christmas dinner of turkey, the Addiewell convicts will enjoy their flat screen TVs with some 15 channels including soft porn and the only prisoners who are fearful will be those in the open estates who are frightened that they will be granted home leave

"In their rush to create a soft-touch Scotland, the SNP just do not understand the public resentment at the way in which prisoner are mollycoddled.

"This resentment will only be reduced when we get prisoners out clearing the snow and helping the communities against whom they have offended. Treats for prisoners should be earned and not be regarded as a right – at the moment, this simply isn't happening."

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