The SNP justice secretary has been warned that drug use could soar unless HMP Kilmarnock’s detection dogs are retained after the prison is nationalised.
Scottish Conservative shadow justice secretary Russell Findlay has written to Angela Constance seeking reassurance on the future of the four canines which sniff out drugs and other contraband.
Prison staff have expressed concerns that the dogs, and their two handlers, could be axed after the jail transfers from private to public control in March 2024.
During a recent visit to HMP Kilmarnock, director Craig Thomson told Mr Findlay and two other Scottish Conservative MSPs that the dogs had intercepted drugs worth an estimated £1.2million.
Ms Constance, meanwhile, has confirmed to Mr Findlay that there are 15 drug detection dogs and nine handlers across the entire Scottish Prison Service (SPS).
The SPS dogs are based at a central location rather than within individual prisons.
Scottish Conservative shadow justice secretary Russell Findlay MSP said: “HMP Kilmarnock staff tell me they’re very concerned that smuggled drugs and other contraband will soar if these dogs are removed.
“The SNP’s decision to nationalise the prison is already deeply unpopular with many staff and will hit taxpayers who will end up paying millions of pounds extra.
“But it would be even more ridiculous if the SNP transfer resulted in the bone-headed decision to get rid of the dogs. That’s why I’ve written to the justice secretary seeking reassurance on behalf of staff.”