London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Jul 10, 2025

Covid in Scotland: Prison cases 'almost double' in a week

Covid in Scotland: Prison cases 'almost double' in a week

The number of Covid cases in Scotland's prisons has almost doubled in a week, according to new figures.

Official Scottish Prison Service (SPS) statistics showed the number of virus cases increased from 189 to 364.

The spike has been driven by a major outbreak at HMP Kilmarnock, where 247 positive cases have now been recorded.

The Scottish Human Rights Commission has renewed calls for a reduction in the prison population to help the system cope with the pandemic.

The Scottish government said the wellbeing of prisoners was a priority and that outbreaks were being "well managed".

The SPS said 731 individuals were currently self-isolating across 11 establishments. Of the total number of positive cases it noted a "significant number" were asymptomatic positives.

The current Scottish prison population is 7,413.

Outbreaks have also been reported at HMP Addiewell in West Lothian (90 cases) and HMP Dumfries (25 cases).

Mobile testing


Cases at HMP Kilmarnock increased by 52% over the past seven days, from 162 to 247.

The remaining two positive cases were in separate establishments.

The SPS said in a statement: "We continue to work closely with public health colleagues in the relevant health boards in managing these cases.

"On the recommendation of the Incident Management Teams, mobile testing units have this week been working in HMP Dumfries, HMP Kilmarnock and HMP Addiewell to support the prompt identification of cases."

Virtual visiting has also been suspended at all three prisons in a bid to reduce the spread of the virus.


Some short-term prisoners nearing the end of their sentences were released early last year.

Judith Robertson, chair of the Scottish Human Rights Commission, called for prisoner numbers to be further reduced.

She said: "The Commission has been urging the Scottish government to take action on prison conditions since the beginning of the pandemic.

"The current outbreaks in parts of the prison estate underscore the need for this.

Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said it remained an "incredibly challenging time" for everyone in the sector but stressed "robust operational measures remain in place"

'Well managed'


In a letter to the Scottish Parliament justice committee, Mr Yousaf said: "The prison service and health partners will continue to take rapid and decisive action to limit the spread of this new variant across the estate.

The Scottish government said that the safety, wellbeing and human rights of all those in Scotland's prisons remained a priority and that infection rates remained generally low.

A spokesman said: "To the credit of the multi-agency teams and measures activated, the outbreaks at HMPs Addiewell, Dumfries and Kilmarnock are being well-managed and they, as with all of Scotland's other prisons, continue to operate safely and securely.

"However, we clearly take very seriously the current pressures facing the prison service, we remain vigilant and are actively considering what further action may be required to both reduce the use of imprisonment and maintain a lower prison population."

Last month it emerged a quarter of the prison population was awaiting trial.

One remand prisoner told BBC Scotland he is currently spending around 23 hours a day in his cell to stop the spread of the virus.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
US Imposes New Tariffs on Brazilian Exports Amid Political Tensions
Azerbaijan and Armenia are on the brink of a historic peace deal.
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Weinstein Victim’s Lawyer Says MeToo Movement Still Strong
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
Labour Expected to Withdraw Support for Special Needs Funding Model
Leaked Audio Reveals Tory Aide Defending DEI Record
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
London Stock Exchange Faces Historic Low in Initial Public Offerings
A new online platform has emerged in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Muslim men seeking virgin brides
Trump Celebrates Independence Day with B-2 Flyover and Signs Controversial Legislation
Boris Johnson Urges Conservatives to Ignore Farage
SNP Ordered to Update Single-Sex Space Guidance Within Days
Starmer Set to Reject Calls for Wealth Taxes
Stolen Century-Old Rolls-Royce Recovered After Hotel Theft
Macron Presses Starmer to Recognise Palestinian State
Labour Delayed Palestine Action Ban Over Riot Concerns
Swinney’s Tax Comments ‘Offensive to Scots’, Say Tories
High Street Retailers to Enforce Bans on Serial Shoplifters
Music Banned by Henry VIII to Be Performed After 500 Years
Steve Coogan Says Working Class Is Being ‘Ethnically Cleansed’
Home Office Admits Uncertainty Over Visa Overstayer Numbers
JD Vance Questions Mandelson Over Reform Party’s Rising Popularity
Macron to Receive Windsor Carriage Ride in Royal Gesture
Labour Accused of ‘Hammering’ Scots During First Year in Power
BBC Head of Music Stood Down Amid Bob Vylan Controversy
Corbyn Eyes Hard-Left Challenge to Starmer’s Leadership
London Tube Trains Suspended After Major Fire Erupts Nearby
Richard Kemp: I Felt Safer in Israel Under Attack Than in the UK
Cyclist Says Police Cited Human Rights Act for Riding No-Handed
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Musk Battles to Protect Tesla Amid Trump Policy Threats
Air France-KLM Acquires Majority Stake in Scandinavian Airlines
UK Educators Sound Alarm on Declining Child Literacy
Shein Fined €40 Million in France Over Misleading Discounts
Brazil’s Lula Visits Kirchner During Argentina House Arrest
Trump Scores Legislative Win as House Passes Tax Reform Bill
Keir Starmer Faces Criticism After Rocky First Year in Power
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
×