The SNP MSP for Clackmannanshire and Dunblane Keith Brown has recently acted on concerns of residents in the area surrounding Cornton Vale prison, who continue to face substantial disruption coming from the prison grounds. 

Since the start of September, residents in the area have been voicing their concerns about disruption coming from the prison – including consistent noise complaints and regular foul language being directed at members of the public, at all hours of the day. 

Since being made aware of the complaints in the area surrounding Cornton Vale, Keith has spoken to the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Justice Angela Constance, as well as the Scottish Prison Service. 

Keith has recently learned that problems continue to persist in the area, despite the implementation of an action plan to respond to these concerns. 

Keith has therefore written to the Scottish Prison Service, and the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for JusticeAngela Constance again, advising them that these existing measures do not go far enough and urging them to take more action urgently.

The letter reads:

“Residents are still being woken in the early hours with shouting and screaming coming from the prison, as well as continued anti-social behaviour throughout the day. Constituents’ lives continue to be made a misery and this cannot be acceptable.”

“I would therefore urge you rethink the actions you have already marked as ‘completed’, and with reference to my letter of 9 October 2023 – would welcome firm proposals in terms of resolutions for these issues and appropriate timescales for completion.”

Commenting, SNP MSP for Clackmannanshire and Dunblane, Keith Brown, said: 

“I was first contacted by constituents living in the area around Cornton Vale at the start of September, and since then this issue has gotten significant local and national attention. 
“As soon as I was made aware of the issues facing my constituents, I contacted the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Justice Angela Constance, and the Scottish Prison Service.  
“I’ve since spoken to the Cabinet Secretary twice about the noise issues in the area, and I’ve been pleased to learn that there has been a strong commitment from both the Scottish Government and the Scottish Prison Service to implement an action plan to respond to these concerns.

“As I’ve said previously, I’ll continue to work closely with constituents to monitor this situation, and it appears that this continues to be an issue for them.
“It’s clear that this plan, as it stands, is clearly not effective at responding to my constituents’ concerns.
“That’s why I’ve again written to the Scottish Prison Service and Cabinet Secretary for Justice, urging them to look again at their action plan for the prison, and I’ll continue to monitor the effectiveness of these plans in the interest of my constituents.”