She said: “For those of us who have been campaigning for better facilities for women, it’s very concerning to hear that these facilities are not being used to capacity. Photograph: Katherine Anne Rose/The Observer Responding to the occupancy figures, Katy Clark, the Scottish Labour community safety spokesperson, suggested the prison service needed to “urgently review” criteria for accessing the centres.Īt the Lilias centre, staff aim to build confidence among a prison population that experiences extensive mental ill-health. In March, Bella slumped to 38% full while Lilias peaked at 54%.Īt the time of opening, the Guardian was told prospective inmates would be assessed on their capacity to manage independent living and would be a mix of those on short sentences, who may serve most of their term in a community custody unit, and longer-term prisoners – including lifers – who are coming close to their parole date. Most recent figures available for May show the Bella Centre at 50% and Lilias at 33% occupancy. Trained staff aim to gradually build confidence among a prison population that experiences extensive mental ill-health, while nearly half are flagged as potentially having a learning difficulty.įigures seen by the Guardian confirm occupancy rates for both centres have never risen above 54% over the past six months.

At the Bella Centre in Dundee and the Lilias Centre in Glasgow, women live together in brightly furnished house units designed to promote independent living.

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