Perth Prison - History

Perth Prison was built under the direction of Robert Reid (1774-1856) between 1810 and 1812. By Napoleonic Prisoners of War. During that time it was used as a depot for some 7000 prisoners from the War.

In 1842, the building began service as a civilian prison and is Scotland's oldest occupied prison.

There was very little refurbishment or improvement made to the prison until 1996 when 'D' hall was closed for a complete upgrade. Since 1996 the prison has been in a constant state of upgrade. The most recent refurbishment has been carried out in three stages over the last five years and is currently nearing completion.

Perth holds adult short and Long term convicted prisoners and those on remand from the courts of Angus, City of Dundee, Perth & Kinross and the northern part of Fife. The establishment also accommodates in secure conditions long-term adult male High Supervision prisoners who are serving sentences of up to life imprisonment.