Current status: Answered by Angela Constance on 1 December 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what the capacity tolerance is for each prison, and how this compares with the current population in each.
I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:
The Design Capacity of each establishment represents an effective, manageable number at which prisons are not overcrowded, are occupied in accordance with their initial design and can be safely and effectively managed to support rehabilitation.
The Assessed Capacity Tolerance (ACT) is an assessment of the absolute extremis capacity in each establishment. This figure is dynamic and should not be considered as an indicator to current prisoner places across the prison estate.
Governors in Charge make a weekly ACT determination and assessment based on components unique to their establishment. These include but are not limited to prison stability, staffing numbers and the ability to meet minimum legal requirements of those in their care.
The following table show the Population, Design Capacity and Assessed Capacity Tolerance as of 20 November 2025:
Establishment | Current Population | Design Capacity | Total Assessed Capacity Tolerance |
Addiewell | 739 | 702 | 748 |
Barlinnie | 1404 | 987 | 1400 |
Bella | 12 | 16 | 16 |
Dumfries | 196 | 176 | 198 |
Edinburgh | 920 | 867 | 905 |
Glenochil | 707 | 668 | 700 |
Grampian | 497 | 552 | 523 |
Greenock | 230 | 224 | 254 |
Inverness | 127 | 93 | 120 |
Kilmarnock | 621 | 501 | 620 |
Lilias | 23 | 24 | 24 |
Low Moss | 817 | 784 | 820 |
Castle Huntly | 197 | 184 | 184 |
Perth | 679 | 631 | 680 |
Polmont | 531 | 758 | 571 |
Shotts | 538 | 538 | 538 |
Stirling | 83 | 100 | 100 |
TOTALS | 8321 | 7805 | 8401 |