Call for Transparency on Prison Housing Decisions

The Scottish Government is facing calls to release the comprehensive review of the Isla Bryson case in its entirety. Last week, Bryson was found guilty of raping two women while using the name Adam Graham. Initially, Bryson was placed in isolation at Cornton Vale, Scotland’s sole women-only prison, before being transferred to a male facility.

This situation has sparked significant public backlash, prompting Scottish Justice Secretary Keith Brown to mandate an urgent review. While the review is expected to conclude on Friday, immediate action following its completion seems unlikely.

Russell Findlay, the Scottish Conservative spokesperson for community safety, has urged for the report to be made public promptly. He stated, “The public deserves clarity on how a convicted double rapist was permitted in a women’s prison. Nicola Sturgeon and Keith Brown should not delay this report, hoping the issue will fade away.”

Findlay emphasized the need for transparency and accountability, insisting that the Justice Secretary must release the crucial findings without delay.

In response, a representative from the Scottish Government remarked, “The Scottish Prison Service’s urgent lessons learned review has been presented to the SPS chief executive. The Justice Secretary will provide an update to the Criminal Justice Committee next week.”