Second alternative custody unit for women completed

A new community custodial unit in Glasgow will change the way women in the justice system are supported in their reintegration back to communities.

The newly completed Lilias Centre will house up to 24 women in a form of "custody in the community", as opposed to the traditional image of prison. Women placed there will be encouraged to take responsibility for their own reintegration through community contact and access to local services.

The centre’s completion follows the opening of sister unit, The Bella Centre in Dundee in the summer. Work is also progressing on a new national prison for women in Stirling. 

Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans Keith Brown said: "The Lilias Centre is helping to embed a step change in the way Scotland supports women in custody – by focusing on creating safer communities and shifting societal attitudes and circumstances which perpetuate crime and harm.

"By introducing a gender-specific and trauma-informed approach to managing and supporting women in custody, the new facility will help better prepare them for their reintegration back into their communities. This in turn will reduce the chance of reoffending by enabling women to build family ties while allowing supportive partnerships in the locality to flourish.

"This approach relies heavily on collaboration between a wide range of partners to serve the rehabilitative needs of women in custody and ultimately support them to reintegrate back into their communities."

Scottish Prison Service chief executive Teresa Medhurst added: "This is another significant step towards realising our transformative vision for women in custody in Scotland.

"Women who will be accommodated within the Lilias Centre will benefit from a more community facing, trauma informed approach."